Diseases of the Reproductive Organs 281 



charge collects upon the skin and feathers about the vent, 

 obstructs the passage and irritates the parts with which 

 it comes in contact. The soiled skin becomes red and in- 

 flamed, it may be abraded by friction or by the bird picking 

 at it, and thus sores or ulcers are started which may become 

 quite troublesome." 



Etiology. — The cause of the disease has not yet been 

 thoroughly worked out. Wright suspected it to be identical 

 with human gonorrhea because of the similarity of symptoms, 

 infectiousness, etc. However, he has not been able to isolate 

 the Gonococcus, or specific germ of gonorrhea from affected 

 birds. 



Lewis and Clark ^ report an outbreak of vent gleet among 

 recently purchased Orpingtons at the poultry plant on the 

 New Jersey college farm, as a result of which the average egg 

 production for the year was but 25 per cent of the theoreti- 

 cal. The percentage of fertility of the eggs was low, about 

 60, although apparently good vigorous male birds were used. 

 The disease was found to be very hard to overcome, and it is 

 concluded that in dealing with it the best method lies in 

 the destruction of the affected fowls. 



Treatment. — The following is the treatment outlined by 

 Wright : "Any hen found with it should at once be isolated, 

 and the male bird carefully examined, and if necessary also 

 isolated. Give 30 grains Epsom salts, and twice a day in- 

 ject first a 4 per cent solution of cocaine, and immediately 

 afterwards a solution of nitrate of silver 4 grains to the 

 ounce. The fifth day commence a small copaiba capsule 

 daily, and inject acetate of lead, 1 dram to the pint. Feed 

 rather low meanwhile, and dust any sore places outside with 

 iodoform or aristol. If not well after 2 or 3 weeks, we would 

 kill the bird, as the disease is not quite free from danger ; 



'1 Lewis, H. R., and Clark, A. L., "Poultry Diseases." N. J. Agr. 

 Expt. Stat. Rept., 1913, pp. 276-279. 



