LECTURE XXXIII. 

 GLANDERS. 



Definition. — The words "glanders" and "farcy" both refer to 

 the same disease, the latter being commonly used for those forms 

 where the skin and external parts are especially affected. This, 

 disease is serious because it may be transmitted to human beings, 

 and with almost invariably fatal results. It is easily spread 

 among susceptible animals. Obscure cases may be highly in- 

 fectious. 



Susceptible animals. — This disease is practically confined to 

 horses, donkeys and mules. Human beings, sheep and goats are 

 susceptible. Cattle are immune. 



Causes. — A minute rod-shaped germ (Bacillus mallei) which 

 must be recognized as the direct and specific cause of the disease. 

 Unsanitary conditions and everything which lessens the animal 

 vigor may act as predisposing causes. The disease is more se- 

 vere and more rapidly fatal among animals which are crowded or 

 overworked. 



Incubation. — This period varies greatly. Different authors 

 have given it variously from three to seven days in experimental 

 work. In some cases the period of incubation is probably consid- 

 erably longer, especially in natural cases. 



SYMPTOMS. 



For our purpose, cases of glanders will be divided into but 

 rwo classes, viz : glanders and farcy. It is generally customary to 

 distinguish acute and chronic glanders, also acute and chronic 

 farcy, making four types, but acute and chronic cases of each form 

 differ mainly in severity of symptoms and rapidity of development. 



Glanders. — This form of the disease is characterized in gen- 

 eral by the development of ulcers on the mucous membrane of the 

 respiratory apparatus; by a peculiar discharge from the nose; and 



