76 THE ARMY HORSE IN ACCIDENT AND DISEASE. 



Acute glanders. 



Symptoms.-^ Acute glanders is rare in the horse (10 per cent), except 

 in transit and in tropical climates. It is, on the contrary, the ordi- 

 nary form in the mule. Sometimes it is primary; in other instances 

 it follows the chronic form, where the vitality of the animal has been 

 lessened by other acute affections. 



The disease produces an ulcesrous destruction of the respiratory 

 mucous membrane, and also involves the skin, lungs, and other 

 organs. 



It begins with a chill, followed by intense fever, which reaches 107° 

 F. A sticky, yellowish, irritating, bloody nasal discharge appears. 

 The nasal mucous membrane is overrun with pimples and ulcers, 

 which rapidly join one another; they may perforate the septum nasi. 

 The respiration is rattling, wheezing, and moaning, due to contrac- 

 tion of the larynx ; to these symptoms are often added those of farcy. 

 We may find diarrhea. The patient is extremely weak and emacia- 

 tion progresses rapidly. 



In general, acute glanders runs a rapid course; its usual termina- 

 tion is death. This ordinarily takes place within from three to four- 

 teen days. 



In the horse there is no disease of which an exact diagnosis is so 

 important as that of glanders. 



In order to correctly diagnose obscure cases (those with no out- 

 ward symptoms) we must resort to the use of mallein. This is a 

 liquid, the injection of which will cause a reaction (rise in tempera- 

 ture) in glandered horses apparently enjoying the best of health. 



Treatment. — This disease is not only contagious to horses, mules, 

 and men, but is incurable in all alike; therefore, the first step, when 

 a suspicious case presents itself, is to isolate the animal, and as soon 

 as it is proved that glanders exists, the animal should be killed at 

 once and the carcass burned. Everything in the way of partitions, 

 mangers, feed boxes, buckets, and all stable utensils must be burned, 

 and the stalls and surroundings thoroughly disinfected. Chloride 

 of lime, 8 ounces in 1 gallon of water, makes a good and efficient 

 disinfectant. With this solution all parts of the stable in which the 

 affected animal stood must be thoroughly washed. 



TETANUS LOCKJAW. 



(Plate XVI.) 



Tetanus is an infectious disease, the specific cause of which is 

 a bacillus or germ which, in most localities, is found in abundance 

 in the superficial layer of the earth in gardens, around buildings, 

 stables, etc. 



The disease, when present, always follows a wound, more espe- 

 cially one produced by a nail puncture. 



