_Cause._ Several species of flies are always ready to lay their eggs in any available wound or sore; therefore wounds must be watched in the case of poultry, as with all other animals of the farmyard. The eggs laid by these flies hatch and develop into small footless grubs commonly known as maggots. _Treatment._ Wash the wound with 1 to 2% creolin; remove as many of the maggots as possible with a pair of tweezers or a feather. If the maggots are deep-seated, stuff the wound with a cotton wad saturated with strong creolin or 10% carbolic acid. Examine next day and remove dead maggots. Treat again in a similar manner if the maggots are not all killed. Fish oil, or iodoform made into a paste with vaseline, will prevent the flies depositing their eggs, if smeared on the surface of the wound. MITES (AIR-SAC) _Not a common parasite_ _Symptoms._ There are no definite external symptoms. If the bird is very badly affected, there may be evidences of suffocation. This may end fatally. A post-mortem examination will show the mites in the air passages and bronchi as small yellowish and whitish particles, which on careful observation may be seen to move. _Cause._ A small mite (_Sarcoptes lævis_) which infests the air sacs and bronchi. These mites, when present in large numbers, obstruct the air passages and cause suffocation. A secretion from the mucous membrane affected, results from the presence of the mites and increases the obstruction of the air passages. [Illustration: FIG. 15 THE AIR SAC MITE (From Salmon.)] _Treatment._ The fumigation method tried for gapes has been recommended, but there is little reason to expect success. MITES, DEPLUMING (SCABIES) _Symptoms._ Bare patches on the bird’s body due to the loss of feathers. The rump and the breast are most frequently attacked. [Illustration: FIG. 16 THE DEPLUMING MITE (From Salmon.)] _Cause._ A small mite (_Sarcoptes lævis_) found on the bird’s body near the base of the fallen feathers. _Treatment._ Isolate affected birds; rub bare patches and neighboring portion of body with sulphur ointment (see page 9) or dip body of fowl in a solution of about 2% creolin. MITES (RED MITE) _A serious pest_ _Symptoms._ Unthriftiness of birds. _Cause._ A small whitish mite, which appears red when filled with blood. These mites suck the bird’s blood at night and hide during the day in the sockets of the perches and in the crevices of the woodwork. [Illustration: FIG. 17. THE RED MITE] _Treatment._ Examine the fowl house at night. Dust hens with an insect powder; thoroughly spray houses and perches with 5% creolin or other disinfectant, and squirt kerosene oil or turpentine into cracks and crevices. A specially constructed mite-proof perch, or one that can be easily removed, should be used. MOLTING