132 ANNUAl. REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



(2) Pus from abscesses or nasal discharge. 



The discovery of epizootic lymphangitis in tlie State, has caused an increase 

 in the number of specimens of pus. 



Where the Saccharomyces was not found, glanders was guspected and a pair 

 of male guinea pigs were inoculated. Of 32 specimens of pus, the presence of 

 glanders was demonstrated in 10 and not demonstrated in 20. In the ten positive 

 cases, the presence of glanders bacilli was demonstrated, in that guinea pigs 

 inoculated developed a marked orchitis from which, in many instances, a cul- 

 ture was isolated, making the diagnosis unquestionable. It has been proven 

 that the Bacillus maUci may be present but not be capable of infecting the pig 

 and therefore, fail to cause a reaction. In such case another specimen of pus 

 was usually asked for in addition to a specimen of blood for the glanders ag- 

 glutination test. The glanders serum agglutination test was tried upon 100 spec- 

 imens of blood drawn from horses and mules suspected of glanders, of which 56 

 tests were regarded as positive, 42 negative and 2 suspicious. As the glanders 

 agglutination test is as yet in its infancy, many experiments, to determine its 

 real diagnostic value, were carried out, as follows: 



(1) To determine whether the thickness of the emulsion used in the glanders 

 agglutination test had an influence on the final results. 



(2) To determine the difference in the agglutination between live and dead 

 Bac. mallei. 



(3) To determine how long an emulsion kept at a low temperature would re- 

 tain its power to agglutinate. 



(4) To determine if the addition of stains to the emulsion would bring out the 

 precipitated and agglutinated bacteria more distinctly. 



(5) To determine the effect of heat on the agglutinating property of serum 

 from the blood of a horse with glanders. 



(6) To determine the effect of heat on the agglutinating property of the 

 blood serum, from a horse with glanders, in heating the entire blood and then 

 drawing off and diluting the serumi. 



(7) To determine the difference in the agglutination of serum from a horse 

 wiLh glanders, which had been kept at a low, even temperature and In an in- 

 cucubator at 37 degrees c. 



(8) To determine if the blood serum from horses free from glanders in- 

 creases in its power to agglutinate Bac. mallei after the injection of mallein. 



(9) To determine the relation of the degree of the agglutination to the tem- 

 perature reaction of the mallein test. 



All the experiments carried out have tended to impress the technique of the 

 test, which is now being carried out with uniformity. The results have been 

 perplexing at times and more experience is necessary to thoroughly establish 

 the true diagnostic value of this method. 



Epizootic hjniphanniHs. The discovery of the organism of epizootic lymphan- 

 gitis, Saccharomyces farciminosus, in pus sent from the western part of the 

 State from horses with a form of lymphangitis, resembling farcy confirmed the 

 existence of epizootic lymphangitis in the State of Pennsylvania, which there- 

 tofore had not been d.. monstrated in America. In June, 6 specimens of pus 

 were received from Punxsutawney, Pa., collected from horses suffering from 

 a disease later diagnosed to be epizootic lymphangitis. The pus was microscopi- 

 cally examined, the organism Saccliaromjjces farciminosus was thought to be 

 preser.t. The pus was cultured and in a month the organism was isolated, con- 

 firming tlie rather uncertain diagnosis made from the miscroscopic examination 

 of the pus. Infection was sucessfully accomplished in a horse inoculated witli 



the culture isolated. During the latter part of the year, twenty-three speci- 

 mens of pus were received, taken from horses with suspected epizootic lym- 

 phangitis. Seven were received before the organism had been isolated proving 

 the existence of the disease in the State. After the organism was isolated it 

 was seen in nine specimens of pus received. Of the nine, the organism was 

 successfully isolated from three. Aside from isolating the organism, Sacchar- 

 omyces fai-fiminosus. its pathogenisis upon guinea pigs and rabbits was tried, 

 and its cultural c'-arnrterist'cs were studied to some extent. 



Anthrax. During the year 11 specimens, chiefly sections of the internal or- 

 gans, rarely an ear, was received for examination; 10 from cattle, 1 from a 

 mule. Of the 11, the anthrax bacillus was demonstrated in three and not dem- 

 onstrated in eight. The following method has been followed in the diagnosis of 

 anthrax: 



(1) Smears are made from the blood and tissues, type of organism noted. 



(2) Cultures are made, examined in twenty-four hours and characteristics of 

 growth carefully studied. 



(3) Smears of growth stained and examined. This is usually sufficient but 

 should any doubt remain as to the diagnosis, the motility of the organism isola- 

 ted Is studied (anthrax being non-motile) and animal inoculations are resorted 

 to. 



Jfoff cholera. Three specimens from animals suspected of hog cholera, con- 

 sisting of sections of the organs were examined. In two a positive diagnosis was 

 made, the other was regarded as negative. 



