136 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



This disease is often mistaken, in all countries in which it has occurred, for 

 glanders and, especially, that glanderous condition known as farcy. The two 

 diseases may be differentiated by the use of the mallein test, by guinea pig 

 inoculation, by the agglutination test for glanders, and by careful regard to the 

 symptoms peculiar to each disease. In epizootic lymphangitis, the pus discharg- 

 ed from the abscesses is thicker and more viscous than the usually rather oily 

 pus from the ulcers of farcy; the ulcers in epizootic lymphangitis are flatter and 

 show more granulations than is observed with relation to the crater-like ul- 

 cers of glandeis; the nodulated lymphatic glands are often less firmly at- 

 tached to surrounding tissues and, therefore, are more freely moveable in 

 epizootic lymphangitis than in glanders. 



The presence of the special parasite of epizootic lymphangitis in the pus is the 

 most characteristic and important feature of the disease. This can be deter- 

 mined by microscopic examination. 



If possible, all of the diseased tissue should be cut out or burned out and the 

 resulting wound be treated by the use of strong antiseptics. This can be done 

 only in early cases where the lesions are local and superficial. Otherwise, the 

 abscesstis ai.d indurated lymphatics may be opened and treated antiseptically. 

 A solution of bichloride of mercury, 1-250, or stronger, is especially recom- 

 mended for this purpose. Lugol's solution may be used locally to treat the 

 discharging wounds and the tincture of iodine may be painted over indurated 

 lymphatics. Iodide of potash in large doses, given internally, is very beneficial 

 in manj' cases. Horses extensively affected should be destroyed. 



All cases of epizootic lymphangitis must be reported to the State Livestock 

 Sanitary Board and they must be held in quarantine, as required by law. 



Epizootic lymphangitis has been adjudged and proclaimed by the State Live- 

 stock Sanitary Board to be a disease of dangerously infectious or virulent 

 character, and it has been listed with the disease enumerated in section 1 of the 

 act of March SOth, 1905, (P. L. No. 56.) 



Under the provi.sions of the aforementioned act of Assembly, it is unlawful 

 to move any horse or mule afflicted with epizootic lymphangitis upon or across 

 any public highway or to expose such animal to contact with other animals 

 of the same species, or in any public place, except upon scientific permission so 

 to do from a member or agent of the State Livestock Sanitary Board. More- 

 over, no person \viio has knowledge of such a diseased animal may lawfully con- 

 ceal it or attempt to conceal it, or knowledge thereof, from a member or agent 

 of the State Livestock Sanitary Board. ; 



Practitioners of veterinary medicine are required by law to report all cases 

 of epizootic lymphangitis of which they have knowledge to the Secretary of the 

 State Livestock Sanitary Board. 



The quarantine of horses and mules afflicted with epizootic lymphangitis 

 means that they shall be kept apart from other animals of these species, and 

 under such conditions that disease may not be spread by or from them. The 

 premises such animals have occupied, and everything that they may have con- 

 taminated, must be disinfected, preferably, by the use of formalin. 



The quarantined animals should be treated, if there is reasonable prospect 

 that they may be entirely and permanently cured. If the cases are such that 

 it is improbable that they can be entirely and permanently cured, they should 

 be appraised and destroyed. Otherwise, they must remain in quarantine in- 

 definitely. 



The co-operation of all veterinarians and all horse owners Is sought by the 

 State Li\'estock Sanitary Board in their efforts to eradicate this new disease. 

 It is hoped that it may be completely exterminated. If epizootic lymphangitis 

 becomes permanently established here it will, in the end, cause enormous losses 

 to horse ovijiers, as is shown by the experience of the countries in which it 

 now exists. I 



Every case should be immediately isolated and promptly reported. It will 

 be much better to err on the side of safety and report suspected animals that 

 may not have epizootic lymphangitis than to permit actual cases to go un- 

 quarantined. Every reported case will be investigated and if the report is not 

 well founded the horse will be released, free from suspicion: 



ANTHRAX. Anthrax has occurred during the past year in the following 

 named counties: Berks, Bradford, Bucks, Cameron, Chester, Erie, Franklin, 

 Jefferson, Lackawanna, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Susquehanna and Tioga. 

 One hundred and thirty-six cattle and four horses are known to have died of 

 anthrax. This does not necessarily imply that other animals may not have 

 died of this disease as, unfortunately, reports of deaths of animals from infec- 

 tious diseases are not always made, although such reports are being sought for 

 and are coming in better from year to year. 



The practice of the State Livestock Sanitary Board is to establish a diagnosis 

 of anthrax by laboratory examination \A'henever suitable material can be ob- 

 tained. In several instances people have become infected with anthrax through 

 contact with diseased animals or from, the carcasses of animals dead of an- 

 thrax. Unnecessary handling' of such carcasses is in all cases prohibited. Not 

 only is it dangerous to remove the skin, but, if removed, it could not safely 

 be used in commerce, and the skins are, therefore, in all cases, disposed of in 

 the same manner as the carcass. The method of collecting material for the 



