228 JOHN E. GUTBERLET 



isolate themselves and become emaciated. They are also said to 

 have ''gone light." 



As the first prerequisite for carrying on any sort of treat- 

 ment for worm diseases, the infected birds must be isolated from 

 the rest of the flock so that the latter can be kept free from con- 

 tamination. The droppings from the sick birds must be cared 

 for or destroyed in some way so that the embryos of the worms are 

 killed and insects prevented from feeding on them. In general 

 for any flock, preventive measures should be taken against infection 

 of all kinds by keeping the surroundings clean and sanitary; all 

 droppings around roosts should be collected often or subjected to 

 such treatment as will render them harmless or inaccessible to in- 

 sects. "Wherever an infection is present, even if only slight, such 

 preventive measures should be taken to eliminate all possibility of 

 its further increase. One of the best is to collect the droppings'* 

 about the coop daily and place them into vats or cans that are in- 

 accessible to insects or worms ; they are then treated with lime 

 or some substance which destroys the embryos. Lime or ashes 

 should be scattered over the droppings around the roosts and the 

 resting places of the birds. This destroys the embryos and keeps 

 insects from feeding upon the droppings. Furthermore, if the 

 droppings are covered with lime and collected often it will prevent 

 insects from breeding in them. House-flies especially, lay eggs in 

 chicken manure if the droppings are not treated with lime. 



Other features in the habitat of the birds should be kept 

 sanitary ; such are the feeding places and drinking vessels. Water- 

 ing troughs should be so placed that the birds cannot get their feet 

 into them, as they may carry in eggs or embryos of other para- 

 sitic worms (nematodes) which will reach the birds again through 

 the water if the latter is allowed to stand in a filthy condition. 



The location of poultry yards should be changed from time to 

 time if possible, because if the same grounds are used from year 

 to year some of the insects that may be the intermediate hosts of 

 the tapeworms may become numerous and thus increase the possi- 

 bility of infection. Embryos of parasites or germs of certain dis- 

 eases remain on the premises from year to year, and if the yards are 

 changed, more healthful conditions are produced for the birds. 



In addition to destroying the eggs and embryos of parasites 

 in the droppings, it is fully as important to destroy the adult in- 

 sects and their breeding places. The life history of only one spe- 



