264 DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



In the first instance, it appears to arise from a 

 croupy or catarrhal affection, which is indicated by 

 running at the nostrils, watery eyes, alteration of 

 voice, and loss of appetite and spirits. If the trachea, 

 or windpipe, be examined, it will be found replete with 

 narrow worms, about half an inch in length, imbedded 

 in slimy mucus. This singular worm consists of a 

 long and short body united together ; the long one is 

 the female, the short one the male, each, were it not 

 that they are permanently united together, being an 

 animal distinct and perfect in itself. 



Whether these parasitic worms are the cause or 

 consequence of the disease, it is not easy to say , nor 

 do we know how they become introduced into the tra- 

 chea ; this, however, seems certain, that their removal 

 is requisite to give the feathered patient a chance ot 

 recovery. This can be done by means of a feather, 

 neatly trimmed, which is to be introduced into the 

 windpipe and turned round once or twice and then 

 drawn out ; it will dislodge the worms and bring back 

 many of them adhering to it with the slime. This 

 plan requires great dexterity and some knowledge of 

 the anatomy of the parts ; a slow unskillful operator 

 may kill the already half-suffocated bird, instead of 

 curing it. Another mode of destroying these worms, 

 is, by putting the birds into a box, and making them 

 inhale the fumes of tobacco, thrown into it through 

 the stalk of a tobacco pipe. Some recommend the 

 forcing of tobacco smoke down the bird's throat, and 

 others that the mouth be crammed with snuff. 



Martin, in his " Farmer's Library," recommends 

 the application of a grain of calomel, made up with 

 bread into a pill, or two or three grains of Plummer's 

 pill, (pil. hydr. submur. co., London Pharmacopoeia,) 

 after which let flower of sulphur be administered, 

 with a little ginger, in pultaceous food composed of 

 barley meal. Indian meal will do as well. In the 

 meantime let the bird be kept in a dry, warm shed or 

 room, apart from the rest of the fowls, as it is believed 



