Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-03


Agricultural experts estimate that
almost ten million dollars is lost an
nually by diseases of poultry, of
which are a great part is due to worms
which are harbored in the intestinal
tract and other vital organs. The
writer of this article has made n close
study of the subject, and experiment
ed with drugs and means of Kidding
fowls of these pests. Some Of the re-
suits of his investigations follow:
The tube which extends from the
throat to the lungs is commonly called
the windpipe. Its scientific term is
the trachea. AS a result of worms in
the trachea n condition may develop
which is called gapes. so called be-
cause the bird in its later stages gasps
the air with mouth open.
True and False Gapes
There are many causes for gapes,
SUCH as pieces of cracked corn or
other particles of food being sucked
down the tracheal opening in the
throat during the process of swallow
ing. Examine the throat of a bird
and YOU will see a long slit open
and shut at the upper end of the
larynX, or box at the upper end of
the windpipe. There is no covering
to this air opening as in mammals
hence 1T is not so we'll protected
when the food passes over it to the
gullet or esophagus. Consequently
II the bird chokes or gasps a small
partlcle OF food may find its way into
the upper part of the windpipe and
thus obstruct the free passage of air.
we once found whole grain of corn
LOGGED in the upper part of the wind
pipe of a fowl.
When the windpipe becomes OBJ
structed 1T is difficult for the air to
pass and the bird gasps. Obviously.
TINS Is not due to worms. And since
the condition due to worms is called
gapes, we call this other gasping -
false gapes.
Ihere is worm, the male of
Whlch is round, white in color and
ABOUT one-fourth inch long, and the
iemale is about one and one-fourth
inches long, which find their wav into
1ne IN windpipe and cause true gapes
Ihese two worms are usually attach
ed, making Y-shaped looking worm
put which, as just stated, is really
Two distinct individuals. Many OF
these worms may invade a single
trachea and cause serious trouble
How the Worms Spread
Wnen tlled with mature eggs the
temale worm is coughed out of the
trachea, or the chick dies and tba
worms then decay, and finally tbe eegs
or minute worms are freed unon 1be
ground. These are devoured hv
earthworms, which are in turn eaten
by the young chicken, and the bird
is INFESTED. Only young birds are
seriously affected by gapeworms. Old
BIRDS appear proof against them. Al
results. SCI iouS
Earthworms taken into the stomach
OF the chick are digested, and tha
minute worms (Syngamus trachealisS
are liberated 1t must be remember.
ed that all dead tissue is dipeste5
oy the stomach fluids, but the live
worms are so constituted that these
secreuons nave no i'll effects upon
t .nen' inc liberated worms now bore
thelr way through the wall of tbe
stomach, and finally become located in
tne trachea. They attach themselves
IN clusters to the wall of the trachaa
Their heads are provided with snc-
ton discs by which they hold on Tbc
neau parts are equipped with micro
scoplc membraneous teeth that wound
the surface to which they are at
tached and suck the blood. AS tbe
worms grow the mass becomes Ia rg'
er. AT first perhaps they cause no
later they induce
grave symptoms and death. As each
worm grows the air passage gradu-
ally becomes obstructed and the bird
mas breathing more and more dif-
hcult. Threatened with suffocation
the bird extends its head into the air
and gasps. The chick then stand
around dropped" feathers ruffled,
sleepy. listless. finally comb, wattles
and face turn purple and the poor
creature dies.
When Gapcs Get Into the Flock
Ground that is infested by these
worms cannot be used successfully
for roaring young chicks. The soil
should be plowed and crops raised
upon 1t. Move all chick quarters. 1t