49 



{Nematelminthes). Another division into orders is made, among 

 which are the Nematode V^ orvds i^Nematodes). This order con- 

 tains, among other genera, that of Syngamus, of which our 

 Synga?nus trachealis is the only species at present known.* 



Another name for this worm is Sclerostoma, or Strongylus syn- 

 gamtis. Syngamus trachealis has been found in the trachea of the 

 following birds: the turkey, domestic fowl, pheasant, partridge, 

 black stork, magpie, hooded crow, green woodpecker, starling, 

 swift, and by myself, in the robin. 



HISTORICAL REFERENCE. 



The first public record of the Gapes was made by Dr. Wies- 

 enthall, Professor of Anatomy at Baltimore, Md. In a commu- 

 nication dated May 21, 1797, and published in the Medical and 

 Physical Journal in 1799, he says: "There is a disease prevalent 

 among the gallinaceous poultry in this country called the gapes, 

 which destroys eight-tenths of our fowls in many parts, and is 

 most prevalent among young turkeys and chickens bred upon 

 established farms. Chicks and poults, in a few days after they 

 are hatched, are frequently found to open wide their mouths 

 and gasp for breath, at the same time sneezing and attempting 

 to swallow. At first the affection is slight, but gradually be- 

 comes more and more oppressive, and ultimately destroys; very 

 few recover; they languish, grow dispirited, droop and die. 

 It is generally known that these symptoms are occasioned by 

 worms in the trachea. I have seen the whole windpipe complete- 

 ly filled with these worms, and have been astonished at the ani- 

 mals being capable of respiration under such circumstances." 

 The above is a truthful description of the disease as it prevails 

 in this country to-day. 



In 1808, Mr. George Montagu gave an account to the Werner- 

 ian Society of a species of Fasciola, which infests the trachea of 

 poultry, with a mode of cure. This led to its being noticed 



* The name of the genus Syngamus is derived from two Greek words, 

 6uv, with, together, and yauos, marriage, and has reference to the peculiar 

 union of the sexes. 



