204 



DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



the bird should be killed, as its treatment would be 

 unprofitable, and its entire recovery would not be 

 probable. 



SCABIES OF THE LEGS AND FEET — SCALY LEGS. 



Symptoms. — In scabies of the legs, the epidermic 

 scales on the anterior surface of the legs and upon the 

 upper surface of the foot, become 

 loosened and elevated by the forma- 

 tion of a whitish crust or compacted 

 powdery substance beneath them. 

 The raising of these scales gives the 

 leg a rough and enlarged appearance 

 which is easily recognized and is very 

 characteristic. 



This form of scabies begins in the 

 clefts between the toes and runs a 

 very slow course. The elevation of 

 the epidermic scales is very gradual. 

 Fig. s%.-sarcoptes p^ gj-g^ there is observed only a 



mutans of the fowl; ■' 



Sa^^tiifie " loo" d¥am- sligl^t thickening of these scales , and 

 6'«'^s. roughness, but the continued forma- 



tion of the white, powdery crust aggravates this con- 

 dition, causes the scales to become detached and to 

 assume a position nearly perpendicular to the surface. 

 The disease extends up the leg and also along the toes 

 until the whole shank and foot become involved. The 

 two legs are usually affected at the same time and to 

 about the same degree. 



Unless treated the disease continues to progress , the 

 epidermic scales are detached, the joints become af- 

 fected and the birds walk with difficulty. In the most 

 severe cases a joint or even an entire toe may become 

 detached, the birds lose flesh and die from exhaustion. 

 There appears to be only a moderate degree of itching. 



