150 DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



fully must be taken in hand earl3^ Give green and 

 cooling food, avoid meat, condition powders, pepper 

 or other irritating ingredients. Keep the bird quiet 

 and administer Epsom salts 20 grains, bicarbonate of 

 soda 2 grains. Follow this with one-half drop tinc- 

 ture of aconite root three times a day. 



PROLAPSUS OR EVERSION OF THE OVIDUCT. 



Prolapsus of the oviduct is quite frequently observ- 

 ed particularly in old hens whicn have been great la}'- 

 ers. Over-feeding, too stimulating food, constipation 

 and straining to expel large eggs are direct causes. 

 It may, also, occur as the result of inflammation of 

 the oviduct, or from any condition which prevents 

 the passage of the eggs. 



Symptoms. — Prolapsus often occurs from efforts to 

 expel an egg which has become arrested in the lower 

 part of the oviduct and is then first seen as the hen 

 leaves the nest. It may be either complete at first, or 

 only partial. In the latter case a tumor maj'' be no- ' 

 ticed as just visible within the cloaca. After a few hours 

 or a day, the eversion continues and a large dark -red 

 or violet -colored mass protrudes from the vent. In- 

 flammation becomes intense in the part exposed to 

 the air, gangrene may set in, and death occurs from 

 purulent absorption or septicaemia. 



Treatment. — As soon as symptoms of prolapsus 

 are seen, catch the bird and examine it carefully to 

 determine if an egg has been arrested in the passage. 

 If the swelling is soft, with no signs of the presence of 

 an egg, apply carbolized oil or lard and return the part 

 by gentle pressure. After this is accomplished, treat 

 the bird as for inflammation of the oviduct, giving as 

 additional treatment 3 to 5 drops fluid extract of ergot 

 to cause contraction of the oviduct and keep it in posi- 



