286 Diseases of Birds. 
standinj^ on its four pairs of legs, the legs are not well seen. The 
male is about half the size of the female ; lias four pairs of legs 
that can be easily seen from the dorsal surface of the body ; aud 
is devoid of copulatory suckers. 
A recent writer on tlie " Diseases of Poultry," says it is 
not a common disease in this country ; but my experience is 
that is a very covintoii malady, especially in adult birds, not only 
of the farm -yard, but also aviary and cage. 
In poultry it generally affects the legs, to which it gives 
after a time a coarse scaly and enlarged appearance, and hence 
it is commonly known in this country as "scaly-leg." It may, 
however, occasionally attack the head at the same time. 
It is seen more in some classes or breeds of birds and 
poultry than otliers. 
The legs have a lumpy appearance due to the accumulation 
of greyish yellow scales, in which llie parasites are fcjund in all 
stages of giowth. 
In cage-birds it is usually found affecting the beak, to 
which it gives a roughened yellowish-grey lumpy appearance, as 
if a mass of ochreous clay had been plastered on the organ. 
It is a contagious disease, but mostly runs a slow course. 
It is introduced by a newly-purchased biid affected witli the 
complaint. 
The parasite can only be seen by the aid of a microscope. 
Some of the scales should be scraped off, placed on a glass 
slide and then put under the microscope. The j^arasite, 
however, can be made out much better by dissolving the scales 
by the addition of caustic potash, and the fatty material by ether. 
By perseverance the disease may be completely eradicated. 
Strict isolation and thorough disinfection and cleanliness must 
be observed. 
The poultry-house, including perches, nesting-boxes, and, 
in fact, the whole of the woodwork slunild be scraped and after- 
wards sciubbed well with a solution, containing one part of 
Jeyes' fluid to twenty of water; or freely painted over with a very 
cheap l)ut, at llie same lime, one of the most effectual remedies, 
not only for the destruction of this parasite but all others. This 
remedy is known as "the green creosote oil of commerce" ; it is 
largely used in the pickling of railway sleepers and other woods 
