BY GEORGE EDWARD GAGE 67 



infection or infestation. Worm infestation plays a most important role in 

 emaciation, causing faulty assimilation and resulting in a deranged 

 metabolism. These parasites destroy the absorbing epethilium. 



The importance of eliminating these parasites from birds has been clearly 

 demonstrated at the Maryland Experiment Station. On several occasions 

 birds have been selected for experimental work and after two or three 

 weeks the presence of round worms has been detected in the droppings 

 and in several instances death has resulted from large numbers of tape- 

 worms being harbored in the alimentary tract, causing general weakness, 

 marasmus and ultimately the death of the subject in question. If experi- 

 mental work of a strictly scientific character is to be conducted in the 

 southern states, where intestinal worms abound, the observance of hygienic 

 methods in experimental pens should include the careful examination of 

 the droppings for evidences of tapeworm and round worm infestation and 

 the elimination of the factors which may contribute to any pathological 

 condition and cause disturbances in the general physiology of the birds. 

 When conducting experiments in poultry pathology these considerations 

 are evidently of fundamental importance. 



Frequently people who keep poultry on a small scale do not understand 

 why their poultry does not yield profits comparable with the other farm 

 animals. In nine cases out of ten it is the result of trying t6 raise poultry 

 as an adjunct to the farm without considering the necessary precautions 

 for their well being. The crops and other live stock receive first attention 

 and the chickens last. When disease infects the flocks it is allowed to run 

 its course without interruption until nearly all the birds die. Then the 

 poultry man becomes discouraged. 



To return to our definition of poultry hygiene it may be stated that it is 

 a branch of poultry husbandry which is concerned with the maintenance 

 of the health of poultry. Perhaps the poultry man is not impressed, but if 

 the fact is mentioned that every year there die from infectious diseases, 

 thousands and thousands of valuable birds which could have been saved 

 and produced a handsome income for the owner. Then these principles 

 of hygiene may become of interest. 



In consideration of the relation of the intestinal worms to poultry 

 hygiene and as an example of rapidity of infestation, it may be well to 

 state something concerning the life history of the tapeworm. 



The life history of a very few forms of tapeworms is definitely known. 

 It is generally believed that the infestation of these parasites is transmitted 

 through an intermediate host. They are adapted to a life of parasitism. 

 They have no digestive system, but are nourished through the general 



