558 



GENERAL THERAPEUTIC MEASURES 



Diagnosis of Glanders. 



In glanders the ophthalmic or eye test appears to have established 

 itself as the most satisfactory. Recently, however, the intrapalpebral 

 or cutaneous test is given preference by some. 



The product used for the diagnosis of glanders is known as mallein 

 which represents a toxic substance produced in cultures of the Bacillus 

 mallei. Mallein is prepared by cultivating the Bacillus mallei in glycerin 

 peptone bouillon for a period from six to' eight weeks. The bacilli in the 

 growth are then killed by boiling in a water bath. The dead organisms 



are then filtered out, and the fil- 

 trate containing the mallein is 

 concentrated to 0.8 of its origi- 

 nal volume which represents the 

 subcutaneous mallein. Concen- 

 trated mallein which is also 

 known as ophthalmic mallein 

 represents a concentration to 

 one-tenth of the original volume. 

 Refined mallein which is 

 used for the production of the 

 mallein discs is a dry powder 

 obtained from mallein which has 

 been precipitated with absolute 

 alcohol. After filtering the pre- 

 cipitate it is redissolved in nor- 

 mal salt solution and washed 

 repeatedly with absolute alcohol. 

 The precipitate is finally dried 

 over calcium chloride or sul- 

 phuric acid. The dry precipi- 

 tated mallein mixed with sugar 

 of milk is then made up into the 

 mallein discs. 



Dry tuberculin known also 

 as refined tuberculin is prepared 

 in a similar manner from Koch's old tuberculin. 



Application of the Diagnostic Mallein Tests for Glanders. 



The subcutaneous test while the oldest of the mallein tests is now 

 used only to a limited extent. In its reliability this test does not compare 

 favorably with the results from the subcutaneous tuberculin test. The 

 test is made by injecting the mallein solution into the suspected animals 

 in which it produces a characteristic temperature rise and a local and 

 general reaction. Rise in temperature begins in from four to eight hours 

 and the maximum temperature is reached in from 10 to 20 hours with a 

 gradual return to normal. At least two temperatures should be taken 

 before the injection of the mallein, three hours apart, and at least five 

 temperatures after the injection beginning not later than the 8th hour 

 and continuing toJ^^^Sth W .aUnt^e^^ls of two hours. 



Method of Applying the Ophthalmic Test 



for Glanders with the Camel's 



Hair Brush 



