THE MALLEIN TEST 313 



sharply defined. The pain generally ceases or becomes less marked 

 on the second day, but the infiltration spreads, often to the extent of 

 ten inches or even more in diameter. Only after three to eight days 

 does the last trace of the swelling disappear. The other symptoms, 

 such as malaise, loss of appetite, weakness, are inconstant and depend 

 largely upon the height of the fever and upon individuality. Some 

 horses infected with glanders become very irritable and sick after the 

 injection of a full dose of mallein. The dose varies in the different 

 preparations, and is generally unmistakably indicated on the label. 

 It is, of course, easy to distinguish between an absolutely negative 

 and a typical fully developed positive reaction, but cases occur in 

 practice in which the decision is difficult. Horses very much advanced 

 in glanders sometimes do not react typically, but in such cases a 

 mallein test is generally unnecessary as the diagnosis can be made 

 from the clinical symptoms. 



The Eighth International Veterinary Congress, Buda-Pesth, 1905, 

 adopted the following rules for the mallein test and its interpretation : 



"1. Unless the results following the injection of mallein exhibit the 

 characteristics of a typical reaction they must not be regarded as 

 indicating the existence of glanders. 



"2. A typical reaction comprises a rise in temperature of at least 

 2 C. The rise should extend above 40 C. (104 F.). During the 

 course of the first day the temperature curve usually exhibits a plateau 

 of two peaks, and on the second, and even on the third, a more or 

 less marked rise. This rise in temperature is accompanied by a local 

 and general reaction. 



"3. Any rise in temperature which falls short of 40 C. (104 F.), 

 and higher atypical reactions, necessitates a second test. 



"4. A gradual rise of temperature sustained for some time is in- 

 dicative of glanders, even though it differs from the ordinary type 

 of diagnostic reaction. 



"5. The local typical infiltration at the point of injection is a 

 certain indication of glanders, even when rise in temperature and the 

 general organic reaction fail. 



"6. Animals which have undergone the mallein test, whether or 

 not without reaction, should always be tested a second time after an 

 interval of ten to twenty days. 



"7. The preparation of mallein should only be intrusted to scien- 

 tific Government institutions, or to institutions recognized and con- 

 trolled by the State. 



"8. With the object of determining the full value of mallein, and 

 of clearing the many still unexplained points in regard to the mallein 

 reaction, the Congress requests the various European Governments 

 to appoint committees to study the question." 



In testing, mules double doses of mallein (2 X 2.5 c.c. = 5 c.c.) 

 should be used; also in retesting after an interval of a few weeks in 

 doubtful cases. 



