Repurposing Medications

My dad grew up on a chicken farm. One winter in my youth, while at an extended family gathering in his little farm town in mid-Missouri, I was complaining to him about my severe chapped lips. "Well, farmers around here would tell you to put chicken [manure] on chapped lips. That's a sure cure." Looking around the circle of conversation, I saw several relatives, farmers, and locals affirming this statement. For the next dozen years I was perplexed by the recommendation and silent about any further lip concerns.