INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF THE HORSE 



313 



The period of inruJxdion may be from a few to many days. 



The f>i/mpfoms may be acute or chronic in nature. The acute 

 form pursues a rapid course. It is freciuently seen in mules 

 and asses, and it may develop from the subacute or chronic form 

 in horses. When the disease is acute, the animal has a fever, is 

 stupid, does not eat, and may have a diarrhoea. In this form the 

 hanpliatic glands suppurate, the animal loses flesh rapidly 

 and dies in from one to two weeks. 



The chronic form is the most common. It develops slowly 

 and lasts for years. The early symptoms of the disease (chilling 

 iind fever) usually escape notice. The first visible symptom is a 



Fig. 115. — Longitudinal section of head of horse having glanders. Ulcerated portions of 

 nasal mucous membrane indicated by A. 



nasal discharge of a dirty white color from one or both nostrils. 

 This is usually scanty at first, and intermittent, but later be- 

 comes quite abundant. The discharge is very sticky, and adheres 

 to the hair and skin. The most frequent seat of the disease is 

 in the respiratory organs, lymph glands and skin. Xodulcs 

 and nlcers appear on the nasal mucous membrane (Fig. 115), 

 but they may be so high up as to escape notice. The ulcers are 

 very characteristic of the disease. They are angry looking, with 

 ragged, raised margins, and when they heal leave a puckered 

 scar. The submaxillary glands may be enlarged, and at first 

 more or less hard and painful, but later they become nodular and 

 adhere to the jaw or skin. Modules and ulcers may fonn on the 

 skin over the inferior wall of the abdomen and the inside of the 



