POULTRY INSECTS 155 



proven to be a very simple and effective remedy; 

 put a ''pinch" on head, one or two on back and be- 

 neath each wing- and below the vent. 



Scaly-leg^ (Cnemidocoptes miitans) 

 Order — Acarina 



Scaly-leg among fowls is caused by a very small 

 mite ; the disease is contagious and fatal if not con- 

 trolled; the legs become covered with hard greyish 

 crusts, the fowl becomes lame and finally unable to 

 walk when it will eventually die. 



These minute mites live beneath the scales of the 

 legs where a white powdery substance is formed 

 which together wath the serum forms the crust. 



Control — The disease is contagious and the af- 

 fected fowl must be isolated; disinfect house with 

 hot water and carbolic acid and then whitewash it ; 

 soak leg of fowl in warm water to soften the scales ; 

 then scrape them off carefully; coat with caraway 

 oil I part and 5 parts white vaseline or with Balsam 

 of Peru once a day. 



Depluming scabies^ {Cnemidocoptes gallince) 

 Order — Acarina 



Fowls often pluck out their own feathers or those 

 of their mates ; the feathers often fall out of them- 

 selves, that is, they break off* at the bases ; the bases 

 of the quills become filled wnih a white powdery 

 substance among which the mites live; here they 

 set up an irritation that causes the fowl to pull out 

 its own feathers ; the disease usually commences at 

 the rump and gradually spreads ; the head and neck 

 often become seriously affected ; the mites are most 

 abundant in spring and summer ; as many as ten or 

 twelve may be found at each feather. 



3 Pearl, Surface, and Curtis — Poultry Diseases and Treatment, 

 Me. Expt. Stat., 191 1. 



