CHAPTER XVI 



DISEASES AND ENEMIES 



IT would require an exhaustive treatise by one 

 who had given years of study to the subject to 

 present in a thorough manner a discussion of the 

 various phases of the many diseases to which farm 

 poultry are subject. Many of the troubles are 

 insidious and are not yet well understood. However, 

 a few general hints on the more common diseases, 

 and a discussion of some of the parasites, may be 

 valuable to those who have not the time or incli- 

 nation to study the subject in detail. The one 

 paramount safeguard against disease is thorough 

 cleanliness; then avoid introducing infected fowls. 



LICE 



Various kinds of domesticated fowls and wild 

 birds are infested with parasites that are known 

 under the popular name of "lice." There are 

 several species of lice which infest chickens. Some 

 kinds are found only on a certain class of poul- 

 try, while others are sometimes found on more 

 than one kind. There are at least four 



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