DISEASES OF THE TUKKEY. 1221 



gapeworiiis aitaclicd to the lining membrane of the windpipe; thus is 

 shown the possibility of cai'rying the infection over in grown birds, which 

 nmst likewise be provided against. The grown turkey might be carefully 

 subjected to the lime-dust treatment ixs above, to produce coughing or 

 *sncezing, and some of the nm(;us may be tidvcn from the throat with a fine 

 platinum loop and examined under the microscope for worm eggs. Those 

 showing evidence of the presence of the worms should be kept isolated and 

 treated until they arc known to be free of the worms. 



IV. Blackhead. 



In many localities turkey growing ha.s become almost extinct its the 

 result of the scourge known as blackhead. This disease wiis first noticed 

 in New England, but quickly spread throughout the entire country. 



Nature of the disease. — It first attacks the cecum — the blind gut situated 

 betw^ecn the large and small intestines. It also attacks the liver, this organ 

 becoming very nmch enlarged, often to twice its normal size, and showing 

 over its surface discolored spots varying from one-eighth to two-thirds of 

 an inch in diameter, shading in color from whitish lemon to dark yellow. 



While this disetuse is attributed to microbes, it is thought to be very 

 much aggravated or increased through inbreeding. In other words, many 

 attribute the prevalence of wdiat is known as blackhead to the depleted 

 vitality of the stock of breeding turkeys, making it possible for the germs 

 to grow and gain destructive foothold. 



Symptoms. — Diarrhea is the most marked and constant symptom, and 

 may be expected sooner or later in the course of the disease ; it results from 

 inflammation and internal weakness. A peculiar discoloration of the head 

 occurs when the disease is at its height, which has led to the popular 

 designation of blackhead. This disease attacks very young turkeys and 

 oft«n lasts for several months before causing death. The fact that the 

 propagation of this aff'ection is more active during midsunnner has led to 

 the belief that it is exclusively a summer disease. 



Treatment. — The use of medicine has not proven very successful. 

 Among the remedies most recommended are sulphur, sulphate of iron, 

 quinine, and salicylic acid. Sulphur may be given, 5 to 10 grains being 

 combined with 1 grain of sulphate of iron ; or sulphur, 10 grains, sulphate 

 of iron, 1 grain, and sulphate of quinine, 1 grain. It is necessary that 

 such treatment be repeated two or three times a day and continued for 

 considerable time to obtain results. 



Some people who have had experience with this ailment in recent 

 years believe that it results largely from inbreeding, the infection being 

 transmitted from one flock to another by afi'ected birds or eggs. The 

 remedies applied proving of little benefit, the only alternative is the intro- 

 duction of new, strong, and healthy stock. Some have gone so far as to 



