288 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



exclusive source of glanders and farcy was a poison generated 

 in a confined atmosphere out of exhalations from the breath, 

 the dung, the urine, and the perspiration of horses pent up 

 in it." A thorough • system of ventilation was established, 

 the result of which was the almost entire immunity from 

 glanders and farcy among the army horses. 



The disease is very contagious in all its forms; an animal 

 infected with it is always dangerous, though it may be full 

 of life and constitutional vigor, and well able to labor. In 

 its chronic -form it is so similar to one or two other diseases 

 of the horse, that it is difficult to diagnose with certainty. 

 In suspected cases, isolation and time are necessary to deter- 

 mine the fact ; and this makes all attempts in combating it 

 costly to the State, and unsatisfactory to the owner of the 

 animal. Many such cases have come under our hand during 

 the year, one of which will exhibit this peculiarity. A horse 

 belonging to the firm of Smith Brothers of West Springfield 

 was reported to us by the proper officer as a dangerous ani- 

 mal. The examination showed a large and valuable horse 

 apparently in perfect health, but with an enlarged submaxil- 

 lary gland and a slight nasal discharge. It was a suspicious 

 case, but not a pronounced one of glanders. Deeming him 

 unsafe to go at large, he was isolated on the 13th of June. 

 He was examined from time to time through the summer, 

 but no material change was noticed in his general appear- 

 anec, or in the progress of the disease. On the 4th of Octo- 

 ber the animal was in fine flesh and appearance, with only 

 a slight glandular enlargement, or nasal discharge, and no 

 perceptible ulcers on the septum ; but he was condemned on 

 account of the unmistakable glanderous character of the 

 nasal matter. By the request of the owners, isolation was 

 continued, but at their expense, until the 21st of December, 

 when, though still in fine condition, he was slaughtered, and 

 by an autopsy found to be in the condition determined on 

 the 4th of October. 



The whole number of suspected cases of glanders and 

 farcy which have been placed in the care of the Board 

 during the year has been sixty-nine. All did not prove to 

 be such ; but we have had occasion to order the slaughter of 

 forty-three animals, and several have been killed by their 

 owners, without expense to the State, on being informed that 



