138 LEGAL RESTRAINTS: CASE OF PRECIPITATION 



glanJers from another disorder, having some of the same symptoms, let the 

 nostrils of the animal be examined, a'nd the left or running nostril will be 

 found of a deeper colour than ordinary, whilst the other or dry nostril is of a 

 paler colour than ordinary, orahiiost white. At this period the discharge is a 

 white glary fluid, and the maxillary gland of that side is but just perceptible 

 to the touch ; but these being symptoms that belong equally to a catarrh, it is 

 best to be guided by the varied colour of the two nostrils, remembering that in 

 catarrh, or cold, both nostnls run. 



It has been remarked by some, that when horses in a tolerable state of health 

 first receive infection, they show mettle, and are full of freaks theretofore not 

 experienced ; as the disorder proceeds in its ravages, this mettlesomeness goes 

 off; other acquired diseases have the same effects on all animals — the venereal, 

 for example, on man. 



The remedies that have been applied to the afflicted animal in this forlorn 

 disease are found of no avail, unless taken at an early perio«3. As hath been 

 said higher up, infection is not to be ajiprehended at first, and therefore the 

 precaution some use to prevent its spreadmg, by bleeding and purging all the 

 rest of the horses in that stable, is unnecessary, unless the animals require 

 that process in other respects; but some practitioners must be doing some- 

 thing, and some owners will not rest satisfied unless preventive measures be 

 undertaken. 



As soon as a horse is suspected of glanders, it should be kept separate from 

 all others, and the fumigation of marsh-mallows applied, as prescribed at page 

 134, repeatedly; a purgative or an alterative ball may be given, according to 

 the state of his body, atid the usual remedies as for a catarrh, continued for 

 a week or ten days. If the disorder does not lessen in this time, but the 

 symptoms increase in virulence, the horse should be destroyed ; but unfortu- 

 nately for healthy animals, this measure is not compulsory, no statute existing 

 upon the subject.* Besides which, disputes might arise as to the precise na- 

 ture of the symptoms, and the executioner subject himself to heavy damages 

 for his temerity. Something of this sort happened near Woburn, in Bedford- 

 shire, early in the present century, to a lately deceased statesman. A neigh- 

 bouring farmer having a horse in a state of confirmed glanders (in my opin- 

 ion), persisted in keeping it in an old shed on the roadside : his obstinacy was 

 highly provoking, and Mr. W. the gentleman alluded to, went with his ser- 

 vant and shot the animal ; at which the venal part of the periodical press set 

 up a great clamour, from which none defended him, for the transaction was at 

 variance with his public professions. 



Stables that have been occupied by glandered horses retain a long time the 

 taint, and the mea«s of communicating the disorder, which nothing will re- 

 move but washing with soap and sand, and scraping with sharp instruments, 

 every part of the rack, manger, and all other parts that may have come in con- 

 tact with the diseased horses. After examining the cases reported by various 

 writers, particularly St. Bel, I have come to the conclusion that there is no 

 analogy between glanders ?nd the venereal disease, but the inoculation of 

 sound animals ; and that the exhibition of mercury in any form is utterly falla 

 '•jous. One case, in which this mineral was employed with asserted success, 

 at the Pancras College, is proved unworthy of credit, by the failure of the 

 same medicine in every succeeding attempt. 



•The common law, however, a fully sufficient to prevent improi^er exposure of animals af- 

 Uicted with a contagious disease in horse-markets, lairs, and other assemblages of cattle. A 

 rase of this sort was a-^judged at Guildhall, London, the facts whereof were detailed in theAa 

 nals of Sporting for Marcli, IS26. 



