Influence of Thallium Salts and Thyroid Preparations upon the Plumage of Ducks

Abstract

DURING the past few years, many reports have been published relating to the influence of the thyroid hormone and thallium acetate on the moulting mechanism of feathers in birds and of hair and wool in mammals. The study of the factors underlying the exhibition of this characteristic phenomenon is not only of interest from the purely scientific point of view, but also it assumes an importance in the field of animal husbandry, particularly in those countries where the production of down and feathers from ducks and geese is a not inconsiderable industry.