PECULIAR TO nOKSES. 83 



C.^usE OF GnA-NDERS. — In former years, glanders was very prev- 

 alent among horses in the city of London. At that time very little 

 attention was paid either to ventilation or cleanliness. At the pres- 

 ent time, however, the disease is rare, from the fact that horses are 

 now better treated and cared for than then. 



The predisposing causes of glanders pi-obably lurk in breed, and 

 when such animals become the subjects of neglected or protracted 

 nasal discharges and nasal gleet, glanders is very apt to supervene. 



The direct cause of glanders is innoculation. Animals become 

 innoculated, in con^sequence of the virus, or discharge from the nose, 

 coming in contact Avilh an absorbing or highly vascular surface ; by 

 infection, also, the malady is propagated ; for example, should a 

 glandered horse be placed in a filthy, unventilated stable, beside an 

 unaffected animal, the latter will soon become a victim to the 

 disease. 



The indirect causes of glanders are impure air, exposure, harrass- 

 ing marches, overwork, and food of bad quality. It must be remem- 

 bered, also, that the disease may have a spontaneous origin. 



Whenever a large number of horses are congregated together 

 in a very limited space, glanders is apt to occur. Mr. Percival 

 contends — 



1. That farcy and glanders, which constitute the same disease, 

 are propagated through the medium of stabling, and this we believe 

 to be the more usual way in which the disease is communicated 

 from horse to horse. 



2. That infected stabling may harbor and retain the infection for 

 months, or even years ; and although by thoroughly cleansing, and 

 making use of disinfecting means, the contagion might be destroyed, 

 yet it would not be wise to occupy such stables immediately after 

 such supposed or alleged disinfection. 



3. The virus or poison of glanders may lie for months in a state 

 of incubation in the horse''s constitution, before the disease breaks 

 out. Of this we have had the most positive evidence. 



4. That Avhen a stable of horses becomes contaminated, the dis- 

 ease often makes fearful ravages among them before it quits ; and it 

 is only after a period of several months' exemption from all disease 

 of the kind, that a clean bill of health can be rendered. 



Nature of Glanders. — It consists of a discharge from the left 

 nostril, of matter, which, by transfer or innoculation, will produce 

 the disease in another animal (of the equine or human species), 

 and which discharge is, sooner or later, accompanied by chancrous 

 ulcerations on the lung membianes of the nose, and by an enlarge- 

 ment of the lymphatus glands within the angles of the lower jaw. 

 In the latter stages of the disease, a discharge takes place from both 

 nostrils. 



The deep seated lymphatus are also affected, and finally tubercu- 

 lar deposits take place in the lungs. 



The subject of glanders usually has an unhealthy appearance, 

 loses flesh, and finally becomes a "dog horse." 



The disease sometimes assum(.-s the acute form, and runs through 

 its course with fearful rapidity. The chronic glanders is more insidi- 

 ous in its character, and the affected animal may live a long time. 



