244 POULTRY CULTURE 



Worms, when in considerable numbers, rob their host of 

 considerable food nutrients. They consume by taking into 

 their digestive tract the nutrients which ought to be absorbed 

 by the capillaries of the intestinal wall. They interfere with 

 digestion, and by their presence cause irritation of the mucous 

 lining of the bowel. Diarrhea often results, which persists and 

 causes large losses in large flocks of birds. Sometimes the 

 worms accumulate in such large numbers that the lumen or 

 passage of the intestines is in part or wholly obstructed. 



LARGE ROUND -WORMS 



The large round-worm is called the Ascaris inflexa. It is 

 present in over 25 per cent, of the birds purchased on the 

 market. It is round in shape and whitish yellow in color and 

 varies from 1 to 2 inches in length. 



This worm, when present, is found in the small intestines. 

 Its body is rather rigid, but when the live worm is taken 

 from the intestine and placed in water that is rather cold, 

 vigorous contractile movements are noted due to the stimulus 

 caused by the cold water. 



It has been determined that these and other intestinal para- 

 sites are poisonous. The excrementitious or waste matter 

 given off from the body of the worms is absorbed by the host, 

 and when the worms are present in large numbers and the 

 toxic or poisonous substance is considerable in quantity there 

 will be noted constitutional effects in the bird. 



Symptoms. — Large numbers may cause a partial loss of ap- 

 petite, unthrifty condition, unkempt appearance of the plu- 

 mage; the birds appear dull and sluggish with droopy wings, 

 there is a loss of appetite; the bird becomes poor in flesh and 

 even emaciated. The comb and face no longer appear red, 

 but pale or a bluish tinge, and in a few weeks at most the bird 

 may die. 



By observing the droppings closely one finds an index to 

 the digestive conditions. In intestinal parasitism an occa- 

 sional worm will be passed. 



This worm belongs to the same family (that of Ascarid8e)as 

 the round-worms of the small intestines of the horse, hog, and 

 cat. 



