964 



Scabies. 



conditions the extension is only slow and some birds of a flock 

 always remain healthy. The affection attacks exclusively the 

 legs downwards from the tarsal joint. Little grayish white 

 scales appear mostly on the anterior surface of the tarsus and 

 toes, which afterwards spread by continuity and gradually 

 change into gray scabs 1 cm. thick, rough and yellowish (Fig. 



150). These show a leaf- 

 like construction. Some 

 lamellae have a peculiar 

 lardaceous or mother-of- 

 pearl luster, and adhere 

 to the surface of the skin. 

 The foot, which is covered 

 with crusts down to the 

 toes, has the appearance 

 of having been plastered 

 thickly with lime or mor- 

 tar (socalled lime leg, 

 scaly leg, elephant limb, 

 fish scale disease). Be- 

 tween the lower lamellae 

 of the scabs numerous 

 mites are to be found in different stages of development, while 

 the skin appears inflamed and raw. Itching is manifested liy 

 the restlessness of the animals and by pecking into the scabs 

 with the beaks. 



Bending of the joint and motion are interfered with by the 

 armor-like scabs which surround the foot. The liirds become 

 lame; in consequence they are soon unable to stand and squat 

 down continuously. In many cases arthritis sets in as a com- 

 plication, and single toes or even all the toes may be lost. In 

 such severe cases the birds fall off in condition and finally die 

 of cachexia. Several months or even a year may elapse, how- 

 ever, before the disease reaches this degree. 



Fig. 149. Knemidocoptes mutans. Female, on 



the left viewed from the back, on the right from 



the abdominal side, in the middle an egg. 



Magnif, 75. (After Megnin.) 



The involvement of the head and neek mentioned by many authors in con- 

 nection with foot mange was nndonbtedly caused l)y the Knemidocoptes la'vis. 



The treatment consists in softening the scabs with glycer- 

 ine or soft soap, rubbing with a little brush and subsequent 

 applications to the dried diseased surfaces with any anti-para- 

 sitic remedies, of which Helmerich's ointment is perhaps the 

 best. Of other remedies Peruvian balsam and styrax may be 

 employed, while tar or carbolic preparations appear little suited 

 for young animals. Brandl & Gmeiner found cresol liniment 

 (cresol water 5 parts, soft soap and alcohol aa 2.5 parts) or 

 cresol ointment (1 part of cresol, 10 parts of paraffin ointment) 

 very effective. Reichert recommends the use of oleum carvi 

 in ointment form (1:5). Apart from very neglected cases, a 

 cure generally results. 



