THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



Chicks Suffering from the Effect 

 of the Gape Worm. 



Symptoms. — Small 

 chickens are very frequenth 

 attacked when exposed to 

 favorable conditions, as we 

 have outlined. The patient 

 is "dumpish," sits about in 

 the run and gapes frequent- 

 ly. This is a sort of strain- 

 ing, the head is raised, the 

 eyes partially or wholly clos- 

 ed, and the mouth thrown 

 wide open in a sort of yawn. 

 This action is frequently ac- 

 companied by a sneeze or 

 cough. There is soon loss 

 of flesh and death. 



Treatment. — Prompt 

 and stringent measures are 

 necessary. Endeavor to re- 

 move the cause at once and Fig. 104, 

 isolate every bird affected or 

 showing the least signs of the disease. 



Sprinkle lime all over the floors and over the ground of 

 the runs. This kills any of the worms and destroys the eggs 

 that may be on the ground. It also kills all insects that 

 may be a medium of carrying them. Boil out and disinfect 

 all the feed dishes and water pans ; in fact, make a genuine 

 and general clean up. If possible change the run altogether 

 to other grounds. We cannot impress these precautions too 

 strongly, as it is absolutely necessary that they be taken 

 not only to cure the disease, but to prevent its recurrence. 



If the infected chickens are very bad and not very 

 valuable, it may be better to kill them and burn the bodies 

 and see that none of the discharge is allowed to remain about 

 without being covered with lime. 



The windpipe may be swabbed out if very carefully 

 performed. Put a couple of drops of carbolic acid in a pint 

 of lukewarm water and use a feather with a stiff stem, but 

 very soft, fluffy end. Open the mouth wide, dip the feather 

 into the water, shake it, and carefully insert it into the wind- 

 pipe, the opening of which may be easily seen. Turn the 

 feather easily by rolling the stem slightly between the fin- 



