GENERAL DISEASES 167 
patient should be isolated and the inflammation reduced by fre- 
quent injections of cold or ice water into the cloaca. 
Fowls which have suffered from egg bound due to the presence of 
a large egg or to tardy development of the egg passage are not perma- 
nently affected. Egg bound due to pathologic alterations in the 
oviduct is not open to practical treatment. 
PROLAPSE OF THE OVIDUCT 
Eversion of the oviduct is usually associated with difficulty in lay- 
ing as in the condition known as “egg bound.” The mucosa of 
the extruded cloaca and oviduct becomes highly congested. The pro- 
lapsed organs are observed as a dark red or purplish mass projecting 
through the vent. The affected fowl is soon noticed by the others of 
the flock and if it is not rescued in time it will be attacked and de- 
stroyed as a result of the protruding tissue being torn away and 
devoured. 
As soon as the bird is discovered it should be placed by itself and 
carefully treated. The oviduct should be explored with the finger, 
which should be greased or oiled, to locate an egg or other cause. If 
an egg is present it may be removed as described for “ ege bound.” 
The prolapsed tissue is carefully returned through the vent, after 
which cold water is injected to reduce the congestion and promote 
the contraction of the oviduct wall. This may be continued for 
some time or repeated at frequent intervals until a cure has been 
effected. 
VENT GLEET 
Characterization. Vent gleet or cloacitis is an inflammatory 
disease of the vent and cloaca of fowls. It appears to be spread en- 
tirely by coitus and may be considered an infectious venereal disease. 
Its causative agent has not been determined. 
Symptoms. In the early stages of the disease there is a conges-. 
tion of the membrane of the posterior portion of the cloaca and mar- 
gin of the vent. This may extend to the lower portion of the oviduct 
and rectum. The fowl exhibits signs of severe irritation, frequently 
voiding small droppings. A watery discharge which later becomes 
purulent and foul smelling is passed out through the vent. The skin 
around the vent becomes swollen and reddened and an offensive odor 
is usually present. The irritation causes the fowl to peck at the 
part. Other fowls may be attracted by the discharge, and the red- 
dened appearance of the affected region and may peck at the skin 
