84 THE DISEASES OP PHEASANTS. 



in breadth througliout ; and that of the female measures l-35th, whilst tlie 

 transverse diameter of the male is only from l-60th to l-50th of an inch. The 

 heads are relatively even more disproportionate. . In the fresh state the mouth 

 of the female was seen to be furnished with six promiaent chitinous lips 



(fig. 2). 



"In both sexes the surface of the body is quite smooth, but the female 

 displays a series of spirally-arranged lines which at first sight convey the idea of a 

 natural twisting of the body; this, however, is more apparent than real, being 

 likewise more marked in some individuals than in others. The body of the female, 

 towards the tail exhibits a decided tendency to fold upon itself; and iu one 

 example this feature was very signifl.cant (fig. 3). The lower part of the body 

 preserves a tolerably uniform thickness almost to the extremity, where it is suddenly 

 constricted to form a short narrow mucronate pointed tail, scarcely visible : to the 

 naked eye. Employing a pocket lens, it is easy to observe through the transparent 

 integument the spacious digestive canal, surrounded on all sides by sinuous foldings 

 of the ovarium, tuba, and uterus — the vagina terminating laterally at a point 

 corresponding with the line of the upper fourth of the body. Here the male 

 is usually found rigidly affixed by means of a strong membranous sucker, which 

 proceeds from the lower end of the body. This cup-shaped appendage is formed 

 out of a folded extension of the skin, which thus envelopes the centrally enclosed 

 and rounded tail (Fig. 4). The eggs of Sclerostoma syngamus are comparatively 

 large, measuring, longitudinally, as much as the l-250th of an inch (Fig. 5). 

 Many of the ova contain fully-formed embryos; and in the centre of the lower 

 third of the body of one of them I distinctly perceived an undulating canal, 

 probably constituting the as yet imperfectly formed intestinal tube. By whatever 

 mode the young make their exit from the shell, it is manifest that prior to their 

 expulsion they are sufficiently developed to undertake an active migration. Their 

 next habitation may occur within the body of certain insect larvae or even small 

 land moUusks; but I think it more likely that they either enter the substance of 

 vegetable matters or bury themselves in the soil at a short distance from the 

 surface." 



With regard to the treatment of this disease, the plan of giving remedies 

 internally to remove the worms, is objectionable, as the medicine has to be absorbed, 

 pass into the blood, and act powerfully upon the body of the bird before its 

 purpose can be accomplished; its direct application to the worms is therefore 

 preferable. This may be accomplished by stripping the vane from a smaU. quiU 

 feather, except half an inch at its extremity ; this should then be dipped in spirits 

 of turpentine; and the chick being securely held by an assistant, the tongue may 

 be drawn forward by catching the barbs at its base in a lock of cotton wool, and 

 then pulling it forward so as to expose the small opening of the windpipe, down 



