244 THE HORSE IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 



the incubative period, which extends from three to seven days. 

 Later the mucous membranes of the eyelids swell and turn a rosy 

 red color, while tears stream from the eyes. Swellings may occur 

 in the limbs and along the belly. 



The usual course of the disease is about one week. A favorable 

 termination may be expected in 97 per cent, of the cases. Such 

 complications as congestion of the lungs, bowel troubles, and 

 founder may set in. These often cause death or greatly impair 

 the usefulness of the horse. 



Treatment should be prompt and started at the very onset of 

 the disease. Laxative foods must be provided and every precau- 

 tion taken to protect the patient from drafts and exposure. 

 When the body temperature runs above 105° F. antipyretic treat- 

 ment is indicated. Potassium iodid is useful as a general eliminat- 

 ing agent. Symptoms are treated as they develop, depending upon 

 the organs from which they arise. 



GLANDERS 



Glanders is an infectious and contagious disease affecting 

 primarily the respiratory organs of horses, mules, and man. When 

 the skin is the seat of infection the term "farcy" is used to desig- 

 nate the disease. It is more likely to attack animals in a run- 

 down condition than others, as their resistance is weakened. 



Cause. — The Bacillus mallei is the only agent capable of caus- 

 ing glanders. This organism gains entrance to the body through 

 the respiratory or digestive tracts, or by inoculation through 

 wounds of the skin. The secretions and excretions of diseased 

 animals are the source from which dissemination always takes place. 



Depending upon the manner of exposure and the virulence of 

 the particular strain of Bacillus mallei, the incubation period 

 varies from three to seven days. However, two or more weeks 

 may elapse before clinical symptoms appear. 



Symptoms. — The subacute or chronic form of the disease is 

 oftenest seen in the horse. It makes its presence known by a 

 sticky nasal discharge, congestion of the nasal mucosa, cough, 

 intermittent fever, rapid loss of condition, and swelling of the 

 submaxillary lymph-glands, which become hard and sensitive. 

 Farcy buds occur in advanced cases in the skin of the shoulder, 

 neck, and breast (Fig. 69). These quickly suppurate and leave 

 discharging ulcers. Ulcers also appear in the nose; when they 



