Goccidiosis. 149 



Infection is spread by means of the droppings of the birds 

 fouhng the ground on which they are reared by means of the 

 oocysts, as they are termed, which contain the spores of the 

 parasite, and it must be remembered that these oocysts are 

 remarkably tenacious of Ufe ; after being dropped on the ground 

 they may be picked up by other birds with the food, or with 

 grit, or in drinking water. Unfortunately they can be carried 

 from one field to another on the boots of a keeper, or the 

 wheels of a trap, and can also be conveyed by the wind. All 

 birds that die must be at once burnt, not buried, as when set 

 free by the rapid disintegration of the tiny corpses, the 

 oocysts would contaminate the soil, and the danger of such 

 contamination must be apparent, when we consider the 

 statement of Dr. Fantham (Field, July 29th, 1911) that 

 the coccidium oocysts may remain infective for as long as 

 two years. 



As regards treatment, the infectious character of the disease 

 must not be forgotten. It is useless to commence the treat- 

 ment by moving the birds on to fresh ground, as they will 

 at once contaminate it, and it becomes a fresh focus for 

 the spread of the mischief. The method which has been 

 found from experience to be effective is to give all the birds 

 a solution of catechu to drink instead of their ordinary drinking 

 water ; ten to fifteen grains of crude catechu should be dis- 

 solved in one gallon of drinking water ; this solution may 

 darken in the air, but this makes no difference to its efficacy. 

 After a few days' treatment the birds may be put on to iresh 

 ground, and sulphate of iron should be given as a tonic. This 

 may also be given in the drinking water, fifteen grains to the 

 gallon, or as a powder mixed with the soft food in the pro- 

 portion of one-sixth to one-fourth of a grain of sulphate of 

 iron per bird once a day. It is a wise precaution to give the 

 solution of catechu as drinking water to all the foster mothers 

 during the period of incubation, as they may possibly be the 

 carriers of the infection. Where feasible it is a good plan 

 to feed the chicks on movable boards, as recommended in 



