CAUSE OF GLANDERS. 287 



These cases are by far the most dangerous, as they offer no symptoms 

 which might lead the expert to suspect the existence of the malady, and 

 yet they readily infect healthy horses." 



Fleming says, — 



"Many outbreaks persist for months and even years, owing to horses 

 affected with this occult form being allowed, through lack of knowledge, 

 to remain alive, and associate with others. Regiments of cavalry, bat- 

 teries of artillery, omnibus, cab, and other establishments, have been so 

 haunted and ravaged for sometimes long periods; and the records of 

 such events are numerous." 



Zundel reports several instances, in one of which the dis- 

 ease had existed for a long time, causing much destruction, 

 without any one being able to discover whence the infection 

 came ; slaughter of the diseased, and careful .disinfection, 

 producing no diminution in the losses. Zundel being called 

 upon to consult with the veterinary surgeon who had the 

 horses in medical charge, an inspection took place. A horse 

 was found whose emaciation and unhealthy-looking coat 

 gave rise to suspicion, though no outward sign of glanders 

 could be detected. The animal was killed, and at the 

 autopsy the lungs were discovered to be filled with soft, 

 indurated, gelatinous, and caseous tubercles, — some recent, 

 others quite old. Thus it happened that a horse which 

 externally gave no indication of the malady yet infected a 

 man and six horses. After it had been slaughtered, no other 

 cases occurred at the mill. 



" Causes. — Of all the contagious maladies affecting man or the 

 domesticated animals, perhaps glanders is the disease which would be 

 selected as an example of the spontaneous or direct development of a 

 virulent or infecting element. . . . The highest continental veterinary 

 authorities, and those who have most attentively studied the etiology of 

 the affection, are absolutely unanimous in their opinion as to its being at 

 times developed directly, and without contagion having any thing to 

 do with it. . . ! These causes are more or less of a kind that produce 

 debility, and defective or perverted nutrition ; and in this respect the 

 disease resembles humera typhus." 



Early in the present century the disease committed terri- 

 ble havoc among the troop horses belonging to the British 

 army. Professor Coleman, principal of the Royal Veteri- 

 nary College, was directed to investigate the causes. The 

 conclusions he arrived at were, "that the ordinary and almost 



