ULCEROUS LYMPHANGITIS OF THE HORSE 469 



Diagnosis. — ^The disease closely resembles skin glanders, 

 especially chronic cases. In doubtful instances the usual 

 tests for glanders may be applied. Otherwise a microscopic 

 examination of the pus from a true case of epizootic lymphan- 

 gitis will show the characteristic parasites. Ulcerous lymphan- 

 gitis takes a much milder course and the pus contains the 

 characteristic bacillus. 



Course. — The course is chronic. Mild cases last one to 

 two months. Remissions and exacerbations are not uncom- 

 mon. The mortality varies from 7 to 10 per cent. Patients 

 which recover are usually left with thick legs. 



Treatment. — The treatment is largely surgical (extirpation 

 of the nodules, early opening of abscesses, antiseptic treat- 

 ment of ulcers) . lodid of potash improved but did not cure 

 the condition. 



Prophylaxis. — Prevention consists in separating the sick 

 from the healthy, and a thorough disinfection of the premises. 



ULCEROUS LYMPHANGITIS OF THE HORSE. 



Delinition.-^-Ulcerous lymphangitis is a chronic, infectious 

 disease of horses characterized by a progressive, suppurative 

 inflammation of the subcutaneous lymph vessels along the 

 course of which there form ulcers. The regionary lymph 

 glands are not involved. 



Occurrence. — The disease was first described by Nocard in 

 France. No outbreaks have been reported in the United 

 States. A similar disease has been observed in the Philippine 

 Islands. 



Etiology. — ^The disease is due to a bacillus resembling the 

 bacillus of caseous lymphadenitis of sheep. 



Natural Infection. — The bacillus evidently enters through 

 small wounds, particularly in the skin of the legs. The 

 disease is not communicable. 



Symptoms. — The first symptom noted is a diffuse swelling 

 of the hind limbs. In the swollen limb develop circumscribed, 

 painful nodules which undergo puriform softening forming 

 ulcers with thin borders from which is discharged at first a 

 creamy, later a thinner pus. The ulcers tend to heal readily. 



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