SUMMARY OF DISEASES OF POULTRY, 1215 



Gapes. — Gapes is caused by the presence of small worms, which are 

 attached to the lining of the trachea or A\'indpipe, where tbey cause much 

 irritation and often death to young chickens. Gapes usually occur when 

 the chicks are from 2 to 6 weeks old. Separate the well from the sick 

 birds and clean the coops, pens, and feed and water dishes by disinfecting 

 with a 5 per cent solution of carbolic acid. Sometimes the worms can 

 be removed from the trachea by inserting a feather moistened with tur- 

 pentine or kerosene. The oil will cause the dislodgment of the worms, 

 and some will be drawn out with the feather, while othere will be expelled 

 by coughing or sneezing. Place the chicks on a piece of paper, so that the 

 worms may be caught and burned. 



Freezing (frostbite). — If the comb or wattles of fowls become frozen, 

 and it is discovered before they thaw out, apply snow or cold water to 

 remove the frost, for this gradual thawing will often save them. Then 

 apply vaseline to the affected parts twice a day. 



Scaly legs. — This is caused by a mite which burrows under the scales 

 of the feet and shanks, and is considered to be infectious, but does not 

 spread rapidly. It is noticed most frequently in old fowls. The scales 

 can be removed by soaking the feet and shanks in warm, soapy water, 

 and by rubbing or brushing them off with a toothbrush or nailbrush. 

 After the scales have been removed apply sulphur ointment or equal parts 

 of melted lard and kerosene. The frequent application of kerosene has 

 also been found effectual without the previous soaking in water. 



Chicken pox, or sore head. — This is a contagious disease caused by a 

 fungus, and occurs in chickens, turkeys, pigeons, and sometimes in geese. 

 It is quite prevalent and' very destructive among young chicks in the 

 Southern States. This disease appears as an eruption of yellow nodules 

 about the beak, nostrils, eyes, and other parts of the head. These nodules 

 reach their full development in five to ten days, when they emit a watery 

 discharge, which later changes to a thick yellowish matter. As the dis- 

 ease progresses the birds grow thin and weak, and death results. In 

 cases of spontaneous recovery, the nodules dry up and form crust, which 

 later crumble away. The parasite causing it penetrates the skin of a 

 healthy individual either through an abrasion, through punctures caused 

 by bites of lice, etc., or less frequently through the normal skin. The 

 disease is most prevalent during warm, damp weather, and consequently 

 is most fatal to late-hatched chicks. 



The following preventive measures should be employed: Keep affected 

 birds from the premises; keep the houses clean and dry, and hatch the 

 chicks early. Sick birds may be treated by applying carbolic ointment, or 

 glycerin containing 2 per cent carbolic acid, to the affected parts twice a 

 day. The sores may also be bathed with soap and water to loosen the 

 crusts and subsequently sponged with a solution of copper sulphate (one- 



