EXPERIMENTAL INOCULATION 321 



Boiling water and the ordinarily used antiseptics are very rapid 

 and efficient disinfectants. 



We may summarise the characters of the glanders bacillus by 

 saying that in its morphological characters it resembles some- 

 what the tubercle bacillus, but is thicker, and differs widely 

 from it in its staining reactions. For its cultivation the higher 

 temperatures are necessary, and the growth on potato presents 

 most characteristic features. 



Experimental Inoculation. In horses, subcutaneous injection 

 of the glanders bacillus in pure culture reproduces all the 

 important features of the disease. This fact was established at 

 a comparatively early date by Loffler and Schutz, who, after one 

 doubtful experiment, successfully inoculated two horses in this 

 way, the cultures used having been grown for several generations 

 outside the body. In a few days swellings formed at the sites 

 of inoculation, and later broke down into unhealthy-looking 

 ulcers. One of the animals died ; after a few weeks, the other, 

 showing symptoms of cachexia, was killed. In both animals, in 

 addition to ulcerations on the surface with involvement of the 

 lymphatics, there were found, post mortem, nodules in the lungs, 

 softened deposits in the muscles, and also affection of the nasal 

 mucous membrane, nodules, and irregular ulcerations. The 

 ass is even more susceptible than the horse, the disease in the 

 former running a more rapid course, but with similar lesions. 

 The ass can be readily infected by simple scarification and 

 inoculation with glanders secretion, etc. (Nocard). 



Of small animals, field-mice and guinea-pigs are the most 

 susceptible ; on the other hand, house-mice and white mice 

 enjoy an almost complete immunity. In field-mice, subcutaneous 

 inoculation is followed by a very rapid disease, usually leading 

 to death within eight days, the organisms becoming generalised 

 and producing numerous minute nodules, especially in the spleen, 

 lungs, and liver. In the guinea-pig the disease is less acute. 

 At the site of inoculation an inflammatory swelling forms, which 

 soon softens and breaks down, leading to the formation of an 

 irregular crateriform ulcer with indurated margins. The lym- 

 phatic vessels become infiltrated, and the corresponding lymphatic 

 glands become enlarged to the size of peas or small nuts, softened, 

 and semi-purulent. The animal sometimes dies in two or three 

 weeks, sometimes not for a longer period. Secondary nodules, 

 in varying numbers in different cases, may be present in the 

 spleen, lungs, bones, nasal mucous membrane, testicles, etc. ; 

 in some cases a few nodules are found in the spleen alone. 

 Intraperitoneal injection in the male guinea-pig is followed, as 

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