232 Diseases of Poultry 



Theobald recommends the use of excelsior or shavings in- 

 stead of straw for nesting material, as the fleas^do not breed 

 as readily in this material. 



Hanson's Eye Worm 



This parasite (Oxyspirura mansoni) was first reported 

 from America in 1904.^ It appears to occur very infre- 

 quently in this country at the present time. It is abundant 

 in some of the tropical and subtropical countries. Wilcox 

 and McClelland ^ state that it is very common in Honolulu 

 where infested birds are found in nearly every flock. 



According to these writers the eggs are laid in the eye and 

 are washed down the lacrymal duct and thence to the intes- 

 tines. The eggs hatch and the larvae live until half grown on 

 damp soil. At this time they enter the eye of the chicken 

 directly. 



Treatment. — Anesthetize the eye with 5 per cent solu- 

 tion of cocaine. Lift the nictitating membrane and drop 

 a 5 per cent solution of creolin directly into the inner corner 

 of the eye under the membrane. 



Liming the soil in the yards or keeping the birds on dry, 

 frequently disinfected floors until the infestation disappears 

 are recommended. 



1 Ransom, B. H., "Manson's Eye Worm of Chickens," etc. 

 U. S. Dept. of Agr., Bur. of Anim. Ind., Bui. 60, pp. 72, 1904. 



2 Wilcox, E. v., and McCleUand, C. K., "The Eye Worm of 

 Chickens." Hawaii Exper. Sta. Press Bui. 43, p. 14. 



