226 JOHN E. GUTBERLET 



Segments of the worms can usually be found when there is 

 a moderately he&Yj infection, and eggs can nearly always be dem- 

 onstrated by the aid of a microscope, but the latter method is not 

 practical under all circumstances. When the above methods fail 

 to show any signs of infection and an absolute diagnosis is desired 

 it may be well to take a few of the birds that show some of the symp- 

 toms, kill them and make an examination of the contents of the in- 

 testine between the gizzard and caecum. Any infection which 

 cannot be detected by the above methods is so slight that it is not 

 harmful to the birds in any way, or is so recent that the cestodes 

 are too small to be seen. 



The best criteria for diagnosis are the emaciated condition of 

 the birds, the great desire for food and water, and the marked diar- 

 rhea with the characteristic yellowish-brown color of the droppings ; 

 furthermore in cases of heavy infection segments of worms can 

 usually be detected, though there is some degree of uncertainty in 

 making gross examinations for the proglottids in the feces. The 

 excretions from the kidneys are white in color and at times have 

 somewhat the appearance of the tapeworm proglottides. This may 

 at times be misleading to one who is inexperienced with this method 

 of examination. The excretion from the kidneys can be readily 

 distinguished from proglottids by placing the droppings in water 

 and breaking up the mass. Proglottids have a definite shape and 

 are firm, while the excretions break up into fine granules, or shreds 

 which are easily disintegrated by shaking. 



Some of the above symptoms for cestode infection are iden- 

 tical with those for nematodes : the emaciated, unthrifty condition, 

 the ruffled, dull appearance of the feathers, and the more or less 

 restless attitude of the bird. The feces, however, look quite differ- 

 ent and often blood is passed with the droppings in cases of 

 nematode infection. The nematodes produce hemorrhages in the 

 intestine by boring into the epithelium. 



Tapeworm infection is harmful according to the degree of in- 

 fection. A slight infection does practically no harm to the bird, 

 but when there is a heavy infection the condition is more serious. 

 The intestinal inflammation or catarrh is quite a serious matter 

 and in many cases may prove fatal. It brings on a more or. less 

 anaemic condition and the bird 's general health is run down. Such 

 a condition is suitable for the coming in of other diseases, since 

 the fowl is unable to ward them off because of its weakened state 



