American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-05-28
A Sure Cure for Gapes in Chickens.

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With the exception of the fatal chick
en- cholera, there is no disease SO disas-
trous to the interest of the rearer OF
chickens as the "gapes," popularity so
called. This disease, common to many
gallinaceous birds, as the domestic fowl,
turkeys, cartridges, pheasants. etc, is
owing to the presence of a round worm
in the windpipe.
The general form of this internal
parasite is of bright red, wavy, cylindri-
cal worm, one end forked with two
unequal branches. at the other end
tapering to a tail. The whole length is
about one inch. The smaller branch
terminates in n sucker, by means of
which the animal maintains its position
in the trachea of the young bird, while
the other branch, the real continuation
of the body, terminates in the mouth.
These worms, when existing in the
windpipe of the young chicken in con-
nation from their irritation, and if not
removed, increasing in size. soon cause
death from suffocation.
The parasite doubtless finds an en-
trance into the bird with its food or
drink, most probably with the latter.
In the case of strong birds it is thrown
Off by the efforts of the birds, and it is
only in the young or debilitatcd that it
proves fatal.
We believe that death is almost in
variably produced by suffocation. This
being the case, the treatment is the
same as we would employ in case of
any choking animal, brute or human.
Remove the worms, and do it quickly.
The best way in which to accomplish
this is with a prepared feather. Take
a stout wing feather about eight or ten
inches long; pull all the vanes from
both sides to within an inch of the taper
ing extremity; and the remaining
vanes trim olfuntil they are not more
than one-sixteenth of an inch long, be-
ing careful not to cut the end OF the
feather, thus making sharp point
which may produce fatal wound of
the lungs.
Having prepared the feather, we are
now ready for the operation upon the
bird. The earlier this is performed,
the greater will be the prospect of sue
cess; and, indeed, we can truthfully say
that it is successful in almost one hum
dred per cent. of all case. operated
upon. The bird is taken gently by the
body, the wings being held down to
prevent struggling, and the legs drawn
down and held between the knees of
the operator who is seated in good
light. When the birds legs have been
firmly closed between the knees, the
left hand of the operator is slipped up
to the head of the bird and the beak
opened, when, if the light is good, at
the back of the mouth or pharynx, two
passages will be seen; the one, the
as 1phagus leading to the crop, and the
windpipe leading to the lungs. The
windpipe is recognized by its anterior
position, its rings, its transparency, and
finally by the rapid closure of the upper
end. the CLOTHS, whenever the feather
is brought near.
Having now determined the location
of the windpipe with certainty, take the
feather and Intricate it with oil, and
small end down the throat until it is
just above the opening of the windpipe
which will for minute be closed; but
it will soon again open; then quickly
push the feather down as far as it will
go, without using any force; twirl it
around between the finger and thumb a
few times and withdraw it.
1t is possible that few worms may
adhere to the end of the feather. and
)me NAV be seen within the mouth. |
But it is not necessary to remove them |
Ill in this way. They have been brok-
IN loose from their attachments; ard, |
after a moments rest, with few re-
reshing inspirations, the gratified bird |
a series of sneezing opera
ions. the result of which is to cast out
he remaining parasites. and the cure is
Effected. 1t is not necessary often to
'epeat the operation on the same bird,
md the disease. like those of children,
eldom is repeated.
Some persons remove the worms with |
! looped horsehair; this is simply
waste OF time. Others recommend Ep-
wine or cayenne pepper, to
,e mixed with their food; but our ex-
,erience has been that all will fail eX-
,ept removal with the feather. Turkeys
Effected with gapes are to be treated
IS young chickens; but if they are per-
nitted to run wild in the fields, the dis
ase is Unknown among them, and only
.ppears when they are confined, or
cared under a chicken hen. This cure
$ simple, and repays steady and practi-
al application.--Proc g. q. Croft, M.
D., IN National Baptist.