ANIMAL PARASITES 265 



tion to the other fowls. The infectious nature of parasitic 

 disease caused by worms should be recognized more fully than at 

 present by poultrymen. 



The different species of poultry are hosts for many different 

 species of round-worms, thorn-headed worms and tapeworms. 

 Dr. Kaupp states that Acaris infiexa or large round-worm, 

 Heterakis pipilosa or small round-worm, and the Spiroptera 

 hamulosa or gizzard-worm are frequently found in fowls. The 

 common round-worm may be found in the first portion of the 

 intestine, and the small round-worm in the ca^ca. Neither 

 of the species are dangerous unless present in large numbers. 

 They may then obstruct the intestine, and irritate the intestinal 

 mucous membrane. This may cause constipation, catarrhal 

 inflammation of the intestine and diarrhoea. The gizzard-worm 

 is the most dangerous of the parasites mentioned. The gizzard 

 has an important digestive function, and any condition that may 

 weaken its muscular walls may cause serious digestive disorders. 

 This parasite may encyst in the wall of the gizzard. 



The treatme^it of intestinal worms in poultry is both pre- 

 ventive and curative. The preventive measures consist in keep- 

 ing the houses and runs clean. Air-slaked lime should be 

 scattered over the runs every few wrecks. The drinking places 

 should be cleaned and disinfected daily. All possible precau- 

 tions should be taken in order to prevent filth from getting into 

 the drinking water. Epsom salts, powdered areca nut and 

 santonin are the remedies commonly recommended for the treat- 

 ment of intestinal worms. From twenty to forty grains of 

 Epsom salts may be given. Powdered areca nut is recommended 

 in from three to ten gi-ain doses. Santonin may be given in 

 from one to two grain doses. Both the areca nut and santonin 

 may be given with the feed. 



The Gapes in Birds. — The gape-worm, Syngamus tracheaJis, 

 is from 0.2 to 0.8 inch (5 to 20 mm.) long. The male and female 

 are permanently united. The male is about one-third as long 



