65 



width, and in its adult state sometimes measures .875 inch in 

 length, by nearly .045 in width. It is of a bright red color from 

 the absorption of the haemetin of the blood upon which it lives. 

 When mature, it is irregularly cylindrical, curved and often 

 variegated by the white winding uterine horns filled with eggs. 

 The tail is mucronate, and just beneath this is the anus. The 

 vulva is situated a short distance back of the head, and is per- 

 manently united to the caudal extremity of the male. The diges- 

 tive and genital organs can be traced within. 



PREVENTION OF THE GAPES. 



The very best results which can be attained from the study of 

 disease is its prevention. If the only way in nature by which 

 fowls contract the gapes is from eating earthworms containing 

 the embryos of syngamus, it follows if none of these were eaten 

 the disease would become extinct. We believe this is the only 

 method designed by nature, although we are free to admit if the 

 embryos should be taken in any other manner the disease would 

 be equally liable to occur. Adopting this view there are two 

 methods of prevention, either one of which will prove effectual. 

 First, keep young fowls from the ground where earthworms are 

 infested by the embryos. Second, destroy the earthworms con- 

 taining them, when the fowls could be allowed their liberty. We 

 had thought a third method might be added, namely, to mix 

 with the bird's food some anthelmintic, which, if worms contain- 

 ing the embryos were eaten, would destroy them without injur- 

 ing the fowl. This opinion was changed after the experiments 

 detailed below were concluded. 



The first method consists in either keeping them on wooden 

 floors, or some grassy plot or ground where the disease has never 

 existed. The second method, that of destroying the earthworm, 

 involves the question as to what is the best method of doing 

 this. The article to be chosen must be cheap, effective, readily 

 applied, and safe to use. We have experimented with three 

 different substances, each of which possesses to a considerable 

 degree these qualities. They are common salt (chloride of so- 



