BY GEORGE EDWARD GAGE 69 



After the rehearsal of such rigid preventative methods the poultryman 

 will ask, "Did it pay?" It can be definitely stated that in all our experi- 

 ments in which an intestinal worm infestation appeared when all these 

 careful disinfecting methods were strictly observed the results were most 

 gratifying. Among a small flock in which worm infestation had been 

 evident, this method of disinfection has been followed during the past few 

 months with the result that at the present time the flock is absolutely free 

 from the infestation. 



These facts hold true for young chicks as well as for older birds. Many 

 of the intestinal disturbances which young chicks exhibit may be attributed 

 to the harboring of intestinal worms. This gives evidence of faulty 

 assimilation which results in an unbalanced metabolism. These conditions 

 may obtain in young birds suffering from any of these parasites which, 

 injure the intestinal epithelium. 



The greatest role of intestinal worms is the part played in complication 

 of other diseases and for this reason alone every effort should be made to 

 keep the premises free from them. There are several factors which are 

 favorable to their existence. If the farm is poorly drained, if the birds have 

 access to dirty drinking water, and if birds which have harbored the para- 

 sites die and are allowed to remain on the grounds, hygienic principles are 

 not being observed. And if in the summer months the eggs of the worms 

 or worms in any stage of growth are about the place, infestation of the 

 poultry will occur sooner or later. When these parasites infest premises 

 affording such unsanitary environment they multiply rapidly and in a very 

 short time are transmitted from bird to bird. The droppings containing the 

 infection are deposited on the surface of the land, over which the birds 

 range, resulting in a general dissemination of infectious material thus 

 contaminating the poultry grounds with the different stages of these 

 infesting parasites. 



Under such conditions how can the farmer or poultryman expect to raise 

 birds which are to maintain vigor and that kind of vigor which is necessary 

 for breeding purposes? If young birds are harboring these parasites they 

 can never be expected to be strong, mature birds and the poultryman will 

 not be able to maintain a strain of birds which will be capable of performing 

 all the functions of healthy fowls. 



The importance of these intestinal worms in relation to hygienic 

 conditions for poultry should receive considerable investigation. The 

 life histories, modes of transmission, and the action of the various disinfec- 

 tants upon them are subjects which need much study. The facts that they 

 may be present in apparently healthy birds, that they may infest the 



