312 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES 



are shipped or traiisjjorted long distances, and exposed to the 

 disease in sale or transfer stables. 



Glanders, Farcy. — This is a contagious and infectious dis- 

 ease of solipeds that is characterized by the formation of nodules 

 and ulcers on the skin, nasal mucous membrane and lungs. 



Although glanders is one of the oldest of animal diseases, 

 it was not until 1868 that its contagious character was demon- 

 strated. The disease is widely distributed. It became more 

 prevalent in the United States after the Civil War. The vigor- 

 ous control measures practised by the State and Federal health 

 officers have greatly decreased the percentage of animals affected 



with glanders. At the present time 

 the disease is more often met with in 

 the large cities than in the agricul- 

 tural sections of the country. 



The specific cause of glanders is 

 the Bacillus mallei (Fig. 114). This 

 niierourganism was discovered in 1882. 

 It is present in the discharges from 

 the nasal mucous membrane and the 

 ulcers. These discharges may become 

 deposited upon the feed troughs, 

 mangers, stalls, harness, buckets, watering troughs, drinking 

 fountains and attendants' hands and clothing. Healthy horses 

 living in the same stable Avith the glandered animals may 

 escape infection for months. It is usually the diseased animal's 

 mate, or the one standing in an adjoining stall, that is first 

 affected. Catarrhal diseases predispose animals to glanders, 

 as the normal resistance of the mucous membranes is thereby 

 reduced. The most common routes by which the germ enters the 

 body are by way of the digestive and respiratory tracts. It 

 may enter the body through the uninjured mucous membranes of 

 the respiratory tract and genital organs, or through wounds of 

 the skin. 



Fig. 114. — Bacillus mallei. 



