CAUSE OF GAPES. 129 



and fore finger on each side of the bill, so 

 as to hold the mouth open. Draw the neck 

 out gently, but firmly. Introduce the feath- 

 er over the tongue, and watch when the 

 chicken breathes, which opens the wind- 

 pipe ; then enter it quick, and do not be afraid 

 after the point is entered. Push down gen- 

 tly two or three inches, and then withdraw 

 the feather, turning it with a cork-screw mo- 

 tion ; the worms will follow, and others will 

 be loosened by sneezing. This may be re- 

 peated once more, but not oftener ; the 

 chicken may then be released, and in nine 

 cases out of ten is cured immediately. If 

 they should gape the next day, repeat the 

 operation. 



The cause of the appearance of these par- 

 asitic worms is not clearly known. They 

 are more common in some districts than in 

 others, and in certain seasons ; very wet 

 and variable seasons are supposed to be fa- 

 vourable to their production. Upon this 

 principle, many good hen-housewives give 

 the chickens nothing but dry food ; and I 

 think I have observed less' of this disease 

 L 



