HOW TO DETECT WORMS 499 



also used, l grain to each fowl, or powdered areca nut, 30 to 45 

 grains; powdered male fern, 30 to 60 grains; and kamala, 30 

 to 40 grains for each fowl. 



Clean Premises. — At the same time the flock is being treated 

 medically, the premises must be treated by powerful disinfec- 

 tants to destroy the worms and their eggs, otherwise the 

 birds will only become re-infested. Be careful to drain off any 

 stagnant water, and fill in any marshy places. Sunlight is 

 one of the greatest insecticides, and the cheapest, therefore 

 the soil should be exposed to it by thorough plowing and har- 

 rowing. 



Slaked lime is highly recommended, and in extreme cases it 

 may be well to spray the ground with a solution of carbolic acid. 

 Birds that have died from worms should always be incinerated, 

 or buried in quicklime, never allowed to decay on the surface 

 of the ground. 



The houses, especially the dropping boards and floors, should 

 be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, also all feeding troughs, 

 hoppers and drinking fountains. Bear in mind, there is little 

 use in combating worms in anything but a thorough, practical 

 manner. To do the task half is wasted energy, for only strenuous 

 effort^ will rid the premises of these pests. 



A heavy clay soil is much harder to rid of worms than a light, 

 .sandy loam. For that reason the latter soil is recommended for 

 poultry. It is usually perfectly sanitary at all times. 



Manifestations of Worms. — Enterprising poultrymen realize 

 the danger of worms and keep on the lookout for manifestations 

 of them. If a bird should die from any cause whatever it is 

 examined, not only for the immediate cause of death, but for 

 indications of worms. The intestines, stomach and crop are 

 opened and their contents noted. Birds that are killed for the 

 home table are also examined. If one fowl is troubled with 

 worms it is pretty safe to assume that the remainder of the flock 

 is afflicted also, in which case treatment is begun at once. Birds 

 that are dull and listless, with pale combs and shrunken wattles, 

 are likely victims of worms. Post one of them and see what the 



