Nithiazide

THE preceding papers in this series by Cuckler et al. (1956) and Cuckler and Malanga (1956) showed that nithiazide [1-ethyl-3-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl) urea] was the most effective antihistomonad (blackhead) agent in a series of closely related compounds. Furthermore, nithiazide was found more potent and less toxic than 2-amino-5-nitrothiazole in experimental enterohepatitis. This paper presents the results of studies on the absorption and excretion of nithiazide by turkeys and chickens and the effect of this compound on their growth, maturation and reproduction. These studies have shown that chickens and turkeys tolerated nithiazide better than 2-amino-5-nitrothiazole or 2-acetylamino-5-nitrothiazole, chemically related compounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS The turkeys and chickens used in these studies were obtained from commercial sources when 1 day of age. Straight run Beltsville White turkeys and White Rock cross chicks were used in the laboratory experiments, and the birds were kept in electrically heated battery brooders. The floor-pen growth trials involved White . . .