15 Dec, 1919.] Foultri/ Ailments. 749 



Vent Gleet (Cloacitis). 



This oiifensive complaint is gpuorally transmitted tlirougii the male 

 bird. Salmon remarks that the first symptom observed is the frequent 

 passage of excrement voided in small quantities almost as rapidly as it 

 reaches the cloaca, which becomes tender and irritable, giving the bird 

 the sensation of fullness, and producing spasmodic contractions. In 

 the early stages the mucous membrane is red, dry, swollen, and hot, 

 Mild this is followed in a day or two by a discharge which is at first thin 

 and watery, but soon becomes white, prurulent, and offensive. This 

 discharge collects upon the skin and feathers about the vent, obstructs 

 the passage, and irritates the parts with which it coined in contact. The 

 soiled skin becomes red and inflamed, and ulcers may be started. Wright 

 recommends 30 grains of Epsom salts to be administered, with an injec- 

 tion twice a day of 4 per cent, solution of cocaine, and immediately after- 

 wards a solution of nitrate of silver, 4 grams to the ounce. An injection 

 of acetate of lead, 1 drachm to the pint, may also prove useful. Sore 

 places may be dusted with iodoform or aristol. Owing to the nature of 

 this trouble, it is generally preferable to destroy affected birds at once. 



Bumble=foot. 



This is due to an abscess in the ball of the foot, which may have 

 been caused by too high perches, very narroAV perches, or wounds caused 

 by sharp substances, such as a nail, broken edge of glass or crockery, &c. 



The treatment consists in opening up the foot and squeezing out the 

 core. The wound should then be bathed with mild antiseptic, and the 

 region of the wound painted with tincture of iodine. A piece of clean 

 rag should be tied over the wound for a few days to keep the dirt out. 



Apoplexy (Haemorrhage of the Brain). 



Generally the affected bird drops dead or paralyzed without any 

 previous sign of illness. Post-mortem examination shows clotted blood 

 on the brain. The death is caused by the rupture of a blood-vessel and 

 the consequent pressure on the brain, due to the blood which escapes. 

 The cause of the rupture may be an unhealthy condition of the walls 

 of the brain blood vessels. Preventive treatment should consist of 

 increased supply of green food, with less stimulating foods. 



Heat Prostration. 



This is similar to the foregoing, but for the fact that the blood- 

 vesi-^els are not actually ru])tured. Plenty of shade should be pro- 

 vided, and overcrowding avoided. 



Favus. 



This appears at first as a scaly crust on the unfeathered parts of 

 the head, and spreads over the rest of the head and neck. It is due to 

 a fungus, Achorion schonleinii. The scab should be softened with oil 

 and removed. Then paint the affected parts with tincture of iodine. 

 A mixture of lead and sulphur has also been found effective. 



