5. ANIMAL PARASITES AND DISEASES. 



INTESTINAL PARASITES OF PIGEONS. 



In examining a number of pigeons from a loft in which there had 

 been a heavy mortality, the following two parasites were met with 

 Heterakis maculosa, Rud., and Trichosomum tenuissimum, Dies. 

 The latter was rare, but the former was present in large numbers, and 

 undoubtedly was the cause of death. 



The chief symptoms are loss of appetite, re-occurring diarrhoea 

 and wasting. The intestines generally show distended patches of the 

 mucuous membrane, ulceration, and masses of blood. The faeces 

 contain large numbers of eggs. 



As this parasite is largely spread from bird to bird by the soiling 

 of the food by the faeces of diseased birds, it is important that such 

 should be separated from healthy birds, and all food fed in a 

 proper receptacle. 



As to treatment, Neumann recommends in mild cases each bird 

 receiving 6 centigrammes of calomel worked up with soft bread or 

 made into pills with buttter. In more serious cases powdered 

 areca-nut in i gramme doses, worked up in the same manner, should 

 be given. 



Scrupulous cleanliness is all-important, and the frequent wash- 

 ing and disinfecting of floors, ceilings, walls, perches, nests, etc. 



THE HORSE LOUSE. 



Haematopinus macrocephalus (Burm.). 



This, the sucking louse of the horse, is generally supposed to be 

 met with only on dirty and neglected animals. In a case reported 

 upon during the past few months, however, these w r ere certainly not 

 the conditions present, the animals being beautifully groomed and 

 with clean surroundings. The only possible explanation for the 

 presence of the lice was that they had been covered with a horse cloth 

 from another stable whilst standing waiting. Whether the lice (-an 



