No. 4.] CATTLE COMMISSIONERS. 541 



one hundred per cent, of those experimented with, could con- 

 tract glanders through the alimentary canal, when the bacilli 

 were in the water ; hence proving the possibility of contam- 

 inated drinking water being a potent source of danger, — a 

 fact that has hitherto been disputed by many able authorities. 

 Therefore, in a locality where glanders is prevalent, the pub- 

 lic watering troughs should have the water shut off from 

 them ; or, if these misplaced charities will not be abandoned, 

 horse owners should on no account allow their horses to 

 drink from them, and should forbid their teamsters to water 

 horses at them, as well. If horses have such long hours as 

 to need water before returning home, the teamster should l)e 

 made to carry a pail, and draw water from a faucet for his 

 horses. 



If a practical demonstration is wanted of the utility of 

 abandoning public water troughs, the history of glanders at 

 Worcester and its vicinity the last two years will serve as an 

 illustration. During 1896 one hundred cases of glanders 

 were reported from Worcester ; in 1897 there seemed to be 

 no prospect of a diminution ; finally, in April, it increased 

 to such an extent that seventeen cases were reported during 

 the month. This led to a conference between the chairman 

 of the Cattle Commission, Mr. Herrick, Mr. Coffey, agent of 

 the Worcester Board of Health, and the water registrar of 

 Worcester, with the result that it was decided to close the 

 public water troughs from May 8 to July 1. In addition, 

 Mr. Herrick has kept the auction rooms of that city under 

 constant surveillance, having any glandered horse found at 

 these places killed. The result has been a falling off in the 

 number of cases to eighty-four for the year, a marked 

 decrease being noticed soon after having the watering troughs 

 closed, as may be seen by the following table. Many of the 

 cases reported as Worcester animals were horses brought in 

 from adjoining towns by unscrupulous persons, to be sold at 

 the Worcester auction rooms : — 



