DISEASES AND PARASITES OF THE OSTRICH 237 
Dosing with thymol in quantities as large as 12 grams had only 
a temporary effect in checking the laying of eggs for a few days. 
Beta-naphthol in repeated enormous doses and followed after sev- 
eral days with 250 grams of magnesium sulphate merely checked the 
laying of eggs for a few days. 
Santonin in 10 gram doses produced some influence on the num- 
ber of eggs present after treatment. 
Kamala in doses of 20 and of 40 grams produced no apparent ef- 
fect. Flores koso in doses of 50 and of 100 grams merely produced 
some influence on the number of eggs. 
Liquid ammonia proved ineffective and even harmful to birds re- 
ceiving the treatment. Carbon bisulphide in a dose of 30 cc. in 
170 c.c. of olive oil or in a dose of 20 c.c. in a gelatin capsule, proved 
ineffective. 
Apart from the fact that the worms are well protected in their 
location in the mucosa, certain anatomical considerations prevent 
drugs from acting unless the fluid fills the whole stomach and raises 
the fluid to the level necessary to bring it in contact with the areas 
infested with worms. This is almost impossible to accomplish since 
the intestinal opening is so low as to drain out fluid. 
TAPEWORM OF THE OSTRICH 
The tapeworm of the ostrich is known as Tenia struthionis, and 
is chiefly a parasite of the young. Chicks may become infested 
when only three weeks old and from that age until two years, tape- 
worms constitute a very common parasite. The worms reach two 
or three feet in length and may almost plug the intestine. Robert- 
son reports having observed in one ostrich nine months old, over two 
hundred tapeworms with a weight of nearly three pounds. The 
ageregate harm done by these in abstracting nutriment and in in- 
juring the mucosa at the point of attachment, must have been con- 
siderable. On the other hand, the occurrence of tapeworms in the 
adult ostrich, is rarely observed. The intermediate host of the os- 
trich tapeworm is not known. 
Symptoms. Under good conditions an ostrich may tolerate a 
heavy infestation without showing symptoms. If food becomes 
scarce, climate becomes unfavorable, or the chick becomes ill from 
some cause, the bird exhibits evidence of the presence of the worms. 
There is general ill health, and the mucose of eyes and mouth are 
pale. The presence of ripe segments of tapeworm in the droppings is 
