GLANDERS. 61 



azotic and combustible matters — the oxygen may exert its 

 affinities on the matter actually comj^osing the organs them- 

 selves, determining a rapid decomposition, and finally pro- 

 ducing, with the azotic matter, a new principle, endowed with 

 powerful novel affinities, expediting, by its presence, the de- 

 composition of the organism, and discovering itself, during 

 life, by that cohort of symptoms and derangements which 

 characterize glanders. 



"This active principle, the result of extreme oxydation of 

 the system, analogous in its origin and progress to ferments, 

 is glandered virus. I am, indeed, struck with the analogy 

 existing between the mode of generation of glandered fer- 

 ment in the living body, under the influence of the oxygen 

 of the air, and ferments which are concocted without vitalityj 

 through the affinities of the SAme gas. 



* * * "^''ow, may we not admit that, in the vital or- 

 ganism, azotic matter, continually coming into contact with 

 the oxygen of the air, may become converted into a peculiar 

 ferment, the same as we behold in the dead body, the organic 

 substance turning into putrid ferment, through the combined 

 action of air and water, and moderate heat? There ia an 

 approximation here which has something specious about it. 



"Once produced, in whatever way it may be generated, 

 glandered ferment is certainly accompanied by ulterior phe- 

 nomena in the system which bear the closest analogy to those 

 of recognized fermentation. Placed in contact with matter 

 capable of feeding it, the glandered principle assimilates it, 

 and greatly hastens the organic decompositions. In fact, 

 chemical analysis seems to demonstrate that the exhalation 

 of carbonic acid is much more considerable in an animal 

 under the influence of glandered fermentation, than, if I may 

 be allowed the expression, in an animal in health. Such is 

 the theory; let us now consider the facts. 



"X. Experience has shown, and every day still shows, that 

 incessant work, without rest, such as is exacted of horses in 



