PARASITIC INSECTS AND MITES 247 



ends of the feathers. The diagnosis can be confirmed by 

 examining the skin lesions and finding the mite. 



The air sac mite {Cytodites nudus) may cause sufficient 

 irritation to the mucous membrane lining the air sacs to seri- 

 ously obstruct the air passages with mucus, or produce death 

 from exhaustion. A post-mortem examination of a fowl that 

 has died of this disease shows the mites on the surface of the 

 lining membrane of the air-sacs. They appear as a white or 

 yellow dust. 



Treatment of Poultry Diseases Caused by Mites. — Diseases 

 of poultry caused by mites may be prevented by quarantining all 

 recently purchased birds for a period of from two to four weeks, 

 and by keeping the poultry houses clean. Birds that are found 

 infested with parasites should be destroyed or returned. In 

 case the bird is valuable and suffering from external parasites 

 only, it should be given the necessary treatment. 



Red mites may he destroyed by thoroughly cleaning the poul- 

 try house, and spraying the roosts, nests, walls and floor with a 

 three per cent water solution of liquor cresolis compositus. This 

 should be repeated twice a week for two weeks. 



Scaly-leg may be treated by applying a penetrating oil to the 

 feet and lower part of the leg. It is advisable to first remove 

 the scales by scrubbing the part with soap and warm water. 

 Dipping the feet in a mixture of kerosene one part and linseed 

 oil two parts is recommended. This should be repeated as often 

 as necessary. 



QUESTIONS 



1. Describe the different bot-flies. 



2. Give the life history of the bot-fly of the horse; of tlie ox; of sheep. 



3. Give the symptoms of bot-fly diseases. 



4. Give the symptoms of lousiness. 



5. Give treatment for lousiness of different farm animals. 



6. What is the damage from the sheep-tick? Give treatment. 



7. Describe the injury from scabies and mange. 



8. Give treatments for these diseases. 



9. Mention the several poultry mites and tell how to treat them. 



