CHAPTER XXIV 

 GLANDERS AND TETANUS 



The most important transmissible disease affecting the 

 horse and closely related animals is glanders, or farcy, as it 

 is often called. The disease affects primarily horses, mules, 

 and asses, but dogs and cats may acquire it by feeding on 

 the carcasses of glandered animals. The disease is also 

 transmissible to man, and usually results fatally. 



Distribution. Glanders is found in nearly all parts of 

 the world; Australia and New Zealand are the only large 

 areas of any importance free from it. Great numbers of 

 horses have been congregated from varied sources for war 

 purposes, and have been transported to other lands, thus 

 spreading the disease. It is asserted that glanders was in- 

 troduced into Mexico at the time of the Mexican war by 

 the American cavalry. During and after the Civil War, 

 the distribution was very rapid in this country, owing to 

 the sale of horses and mules by the government. 



At the present time glanders is most prevalent where 

 large numbers of horses are brought together, as in lumber 

 camps, on the ranges, and in the great stables maintained 

 in cities. Constant change is going on in such stables, and 

 every horse purchased may serve to introduce the disease, 

 unless precautions are taken to determine the health of the 

 animal before it is allowed to come in contact with healthy 

 animals. The number of horses purchased by farmers is 

 comparatively small, and, unless the farmer buys range 

 animals, or those that have been in use by the large stables, 



320 



