MALLEIN 



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procedures are available. These are animal inoculation, the 

 use of mallein and the agglutination or serum test. 



Animal inoculation. Male guinea pigs should be used. 

 The material for inoculation usually consists of the nasal dis- 

 charge from the suspected glandered horse, bits of scrapings 

 from the ulcers, or pieces of other diseased tissue. The 

 method to be followed is precisely the same as with the sub- 

 cutaneous inoculation of tuberculous material. In these cases 

 there is liable to be a local swelling and abscess. The first 

 symptom of glanders noticed is usually orchitis. The lym- 

 phatic glands in the groin are also enlarged. After the 

 orchitis becomes well advanced, the guinea pig may be chloro- 

 formed and examined. Pure cultures of the specific organism 

 can be obtained in most cases from the suppurating foci in the 

 testicle. The spleen is usually enlarged and sprinkled with 

 grayish nodules. Other organs may be involved. The diag- 

 nosis by the inoculation of a male guinea pig is known as the 

 Strauss method. 



Mallein. Mallein is prepared in the same way as tuber- 

 culin. It consists of the glycerinated bouillon in which the 

 glanders bacteria have grown and in which are the products 

 resulting from their multiplication. It has a somewhat fetid 

 odor. In applying the mallein test the horse is injected 

 usually in the neck with the required amount (0.5 to 2 cc.) of 

 mallein, the quantity depending upon the degree of concentra- 

 tion. If a concentrated mallein is used it should be diluted 

 with a I per cent carbolic acid solution to at least 2 cc. The 

 reaction is as follows. In a few hours there forms at the place 

 of injection a hot, inflammatory swelling. It is very painful 

 and in case of glanders quite large. B'rom all sides of the 

 swelling there may radiate wavy lines consisting of swollen 

 lymphatics, hot and painful when touched, extending toward 

 the adjoining glands. When the mallein injection is made 

 aseptically, this swelling never suppurates, but it increases in 

 size during a period of from 24 to 36 hours and persists for 

 several days, when it gradually diminishes and finally disap- 

 pears at the end of eight or ten days. With the appearance 



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