512 POULTRY DISEASES AND PARASITES 



birds uncomfortable. At the same time a dose of Epsom 

 salts should be administered, and particular pains taken 

 to see that a considerable amount of granulated bone is 

 consumed. If the birds are being forced, the amount of 

 protein in the ration should be reduced and exercise induced 

 in every way possible. An abundant supply of green feed 

 is frequently very helpful in overcoming this difficulty. 



Hart, Halpin and Steenbock^ have recently reported 

 experiments in feeding which suggest that a large per cent of 

 crude fiber in the ration is a preventative of leg-weakness in 

 chicks reared in confinement and fed a synthetic diet. The 

 fact that the malady was accompanied by loss of appetite 

 and usually terminated fatally in the stock they worked with, 

 suggests the possibility that they were dealing with a different 

 form of leg-weakness than that met with in practical work, 

 where the chicks appear literally to be grown off their feet 

 Ijut maintain their appetite and activity and eventually 

 make a good recovery. 



Lice. — There are several species of lice which infest poultry, 

 and between which, from the practical stand-point, it is not 

 necessary to distinguish. Whenever birds begm to show 

 lack of thrift it is always well to suspect lice, and to make 

 an examination in an effort to discover them. While they 

 infest all parts of the body, they are usually particidarly 

 numerous about the vent and under the wings. Masses of 

 eggs or nits may frecpiently be found attached to the base 

 of the feathers about the vent. 



Lice multiply very rapidly, and unless steps are taken to 

 control them, are likely to interfere with both the birds' 

 health and production. With any except the most heavily 

 feathered breeds lice may be kept in control by simply 

 furnishing dustmg facilities. Common road dust is very 

 satisfactory, as are also sifted coal ashes. Wood ashes 

 should not be used. Where the dust bath does not control 

 the situation, individual treatment must be resorted to. 

 Sodium fluoride, which may be secured at any drug store will 

 be found satisfactory^ when thorouglily dusted into the 

 feathers of the infested fowl. 



' Jourual of Biological Chemistry, vol. xliii. No. 2. 



