CHAPTER XXXI. 



GLANDERS. 



GLANDERS is a specific inocalable disease of equines, characterised 

 by the formation of nodules and suppurating tumours, with which 

 characteristic bacilli are associated. The disease has been known 

 from very early times. It is described in books of the sixteenth 

 century and in very early treatises on farriery. It attacks horses, 

 n-.-es, and mules. Man and many of the lower animals can be 

 readily inoculated, but cattle and swine have an immunity. The 

 disease is especially prevalent in towns, or wherever li<r>^ may be 

 crowded together without those sanitary arrangements which are 

 .so much attended to in private stables ; and in large establishments 

 fresh horses are being constantly introduced to replace others, and 

 thus the opportunities for the importation of the disease are multi- 

 plied. The disease varies in its virulence. It may occur in a form 

 which proves fatal in a few days, or it may exist for months or 

 years without attracting notice, and yet be capable of being trans- 

 mitted to other animals. The term "farcy" is applied when the 

 disease manifests itself in the form of tumours in tin- .skin. 



Glanders in the horse most commonly produces ulceration of the 

 nostrils and enlargement of the glands. It commences in the form 

 of nodules of the mucous membrane resembling in ilia ry tubercles, 

 and, like them, consisting of a collection of round n-lk Tli.-y 

 .suppurate and coalesce, forming irregular ulcers and raised, congested 

 nodules. The lymphatic glands become enlarged and Mippurate, 

 and the disease extends to the respiratory organs. In the IUII.L' 

 the early stage, the disease is readily mistaken for tubercu! 

 The nodules suppurate, and cavities are formed, but tli.-\ d. 

 tend to caseate. A glairy or muco- purulent discharge from the 

 nostrils should lead to very careful inspection, with every possible 

 precaution ; and it will probably be easy to detect the okmtifla .f 

 the nostrils. In other CUM-S there may be slight discharge from the 



