AMERICAN POULTRY CULTURE 
times, at intervals of one or two days, until the 
crusts are all easily removed. Rub the liquid well 
in among the crusts and scales by means of a hard 
bristle brush. Four to six applications will cure 
an ordinary case, but some take longer than others. 
The treatment suggested never fails if performed 
faithfully. 
‘““Gapes” is a parasitic disease caused by the 
presence of worms in the windpipes of young chick- 
ens. Where these worms come from 
and get their original start among a 
flock of chicks, has never been definitely settled, 
although several theories have been advanced. The 
most popular theory is that the primary cause of 
gapes is often the eating of angle (earth) worms, 
or other such organisms, of which the gape-worm, 
so called, is a parasite; although in many localities 
these worms do not affect the chicks. Letting the 
chicks out in the damp or wet, or before the dew is 
off the grass in the morning, is known to help 
maintain the disease if not to produce it. 
After the gape-worm is introduced into a flock, 
infection is easy and rapid, as well chicks often eat 
the worms coughed up by the afflicted ones, or may 
get the eggs or the worms themselves in the food 
or drinking water. The symptoms of gapes are 
frequent gaping, sneezing, and later a whistling 
cough with discharge of mucus and worms, dump- 
ishness, weakness and drooping wings. 
248 
Gapes 
