DISEASES AND PARASITES OF FOWLS 397 



drops of kerosene to a teaspooiiful of lard will make it 

 more effective, but much kerosene may kill the chick. If 

 the hen be carefully treated for lice while sitting, there 

 will be less trouble from the head lice on the chicks. 



Scaley Leg. Another species of mite (Sarcoptes 

 mutans), produces scaley leg in fowls. The mite burrows 

 underneath the scales of the leg and white grayish crusts are 

 formed which gradually enlarge and raise the scales. In 

 severe cases lameness results and even the loss of toes. The 

 disease is contagious. Disinfective measures should be ap- 

 plied in the poultry house. Individual treatment is rather 

 tedious but a cure is easily affected. Where the case is bad 

 or advanced it will usually be necessary to soak the scales 

 thoroughly in warm water and remove them when it can be 

 done without causing bleeding, then apply an ointment or 

 vaseline. Kerosene is an effective remedy. Where the dis- 

 ease is not too far advanced it will be sufficient to dip the 

 legs in a can of oil and hold them there for half a minute. 



Dr. Theobald is authority for the statement that there 

 are some 36 distinct species of worms that live as parasites 

 in fowls. Some' of these are of little importance. A few 

 of the more injurious ones will be mentioned here. 



The Gape Worm (Syngamus trachealis) . This parasite 

 is very destructive to young chicks in different sections of 

 the country. It attaches itself to the inner lining of the 

 windpipe or trachea. Contaminated soil is responsible for 

 the spread of this disease. This further emphasizes the 

 point that has already been made, that young chicks should 

 always be reared on clean, fresh ground. Gape worms be- 

 come so numerous in the windpipe when they once get 

 started that the bird finally dies for lack of air. Some of 

 the worms are coughed up, as well as some of the ova and 

 embryos and these are taken up by other fowls and the 

 disease rapidly spreads. The ground carries the infection 



