GLANDERS 127 
a small edematous swelling, somewhat hot and painful to the touch, 
but the edema instead of increasing, diminishes rapidly and disappears 
in Jess than 24 hours. 
The reaction called forth by the injection of mallein in a glandered 
animal is quite specific. When it occurs one is enabled to state at 
once and with certainty that glanders exists, although the lesions 
may be quite minute or obscure. When the reaction does not take 
place it is generally considered that the animal tested is not glandered, 
although the physical examination may suggest it. Notwithstanding 
the specific action of mallein, its administration can give really useful 
indications “‘only when, and as far as, we can remove the causes of 
error that have been pointed out by experience.’ For example, it 
would be imprudent to use mallein in case of animals already suffering 
with an abnormally high or low temperature. The further precau- 
tions should be taken that the animals subjected to the test be 
removed as far as possible from atmospheric variations and the 
influence of strong sunlight, fog, rain and currents of air. If it be 
true that the majority of horses are not susceptible or slightly so, to 
these influences, there are still some that are affected by them. A 
sudden rise and fall of temperature due to other causes must be 
differentiated from a mallein reaction. 
Ophthalmic use of mallein.* Schniirer in Vienna and Fréhner in 
Berlin recommend this method of using mallein. The mallein is 
applied to the eye with a camel’s hair brush in the following way: 
The eyelids are opened with the index finger and the thumb, as is 
customary when examining the conjunctiva of the eye. Then the 
camel’s-hair brush, which has been submerged in the mallein, is 
drawn once forward and again backward over the eye. Only one 
eye is used, the other serving as a control. Immediately after the 
application of the mallein to the eye in most of the animals Jacrima- 
tion, increased reddening, and twinkling of the eye appear; these 
primary reactions are not specific and disappear in the following few 
hours. The specific reaction commences as a rule 5 or 6 hours after 
the application of the test and lasts from 36 to 48 hours, occasionally, 
even longer. It consists in a suppurative conjunctivitis, with redden- 
ing, swelling, and suppurative secretions. Of these signs only a sup- 
*The ophthalmic use of mallein was first reported in this country by Dr. C. J. Mar- 
shall (Proceedings of the A. V. M.A. 1912). At the same time Moore and Fitch were 
using this method for the diagnosis of glandersm New York City (Report New York 
State Veterinary College, 1911-12). 
