AMERICAN POULTRY CULTURE 



times, at intervals of one or two days, until the 

 crusts are all easily removed. Rub the liquid well 

 in among the crusts and scales by means of a hard 

 bristle brush. Four to six applications will cure 

 an ordinary case, but some take longer than others. 

 The treatment suggested never fails if performed 

 faithfully. 



" Gapes " is a parasitic disease caused by the 

 presence of worms in the windpipes of young chick- 

 ens. Where these worms come from 

 and get their original start among a 

 flock of chicks, has never been definitely settled, 

 although several theories have been advanced. The 

 most popular theory is that the primary cause of 

 gapes is often the eating of angle (earth) worms, 

 or other such organisms, of which the gape-worm, 

 so called, is a parasite ; although in many localities 

 these worms do not affect the chicks. Letting the 

 chicks out in the damp or wet, or before the dew is 

 off the grass in the morning, is known to help 

 maintain the disease if not to produce it. 



After the gape-worm is introduced into a flock, 

 infection is easy and rapid, as well chicks often eat 

 the worms coughed up by the afflicted ones, or may 

 get the eggs or the worms themselves in the food 

 or drinking water. The symptoms of gapes are 

 frequent gaping, sneezing, and later a whistling 

 cough with discharge of mucus and worms, dump- 

 ishness, weakness and drooping wings. 



248 



