Dcpiiinu'iii^r Sc (I bit's in Fmols. 6i 



Up to ihrt'C (Inuns may ho <^iven, Imi in nil cases I have kiKiwn, 

 titleeu giiiin doses are suflk'ient, and nioit! siiuply produce collapse. 

 This can of coui"se always he couiitenicted hy aduiiuist^iring 

 stimulants." * 



The importance of Thymol as a nematocide is now well-known, 

 it heinj; esi>ecially valuahle for the armed sclerostomes that cause 

 often faUd epizootics in studs in this country. 



Depluming Scabies (Sarcoptes Icvvis) in Fowls. 



Amongst the enquiries reganling animal ])ai-asilic diseases was 

 one from Mr. K. J. J. Mackensie, l/icturer on i'oullry-keei)ing to the 

 Suffolk County Council, ivgardim,' Depluming Scaliies in Fowls. 

 Feathei-8 were sent from hii-ds suflering from an ailment with synij>- 

 toms pointing to this disease. An examination of the feathers sent 

 did not reveal any SurotjUcs laviji. This mite, which produces the 

 acariasis, ending in loss of feathers, lives at the hase of the quills 

 amongst a white powdery suhstance. The feathers sent had hroken 

 oft' close to their roots, and any imwdery suhstance attached would 

 have gone. As far as one can say without detinite proof (i.e. the 

 actual presence of mites) the feathers looked as if the pimisite had 

 been at work. To be sure of this it would be necessary to send 

 feathers pulled out from the diseased bird that do not seem diseased, 

 and also scnipings of the skin from the invaded areas ; such material 

 must be fresh or sent in dilute spirit. This disease was found bv 

 liailliet in 1880 in a poultry-yard in Normandy, and since in many 

 fresh areas. In this country there is a general idea that " feather- 

 pulling" or eating is due solely t«) vicious hal»iis, whereas it is nearly 

 always due to the minute Sarcopt mite which lives arouml and at 

 the base of the feathei-s. This acarus is most abundant in spring 

 and summer; males, females, and larva' are all fmuid together 

 around the ba.ses of the feathei^s on any part of the iMnly. A do/en 

 or more mites may often Ikj found in close pro.ximity, causing the 

 irritation which leads to the birds plucking at the fealhei-s. 



• Alcohol mu«t not be used as a stimuUut after Thymol. 



