DISEASES AND PESTS, 825 
droppings are thin, contain considerable yellow slime, 
and are passed in small quantities but at short intervals. 
The poultry raiser must direct his attention to these 
thin, slimy, and often bloody droppings, for if any treat- 
ment against the tapeworms is to be undertaken, this 
must be done as early as possible. In observing the 
droppings, it should be noticed whether tapeworm seg- 
ments or eggs are present. The eggs can be seen, of 
course, only with the microscope. The birds become 
FIG. 130, TAPEWORM FROM A TURKEY. 
listless and drooping, with ruffled feathers. An unusual 
desire for cold water is considered a symptom. 
The best method for the farmer to follow is to kill 
one of the sick chickens, when he suspects tapeworms, 
and to cut out the intestine; he should then open the 
intestinal tract from the gizzard to the anus, in a bowl 
of warm water, and look for the tapeworms. 
In the line of prevention, chickens will be less likely 
to become infected if not allowed to roam until the sun 
is well up and the ground dry. To prevent spread of 
the worms, destroy the manure of infected fowls, or use 
it where it can dono harm. Sulphuric acid and water, 
or quicklime, will destroy the eggs. 
a 
