LECTURE XLI 

 GLANDERS 



The words ' ' glanders ' ' and ' ' farcy ' ' refer to the same disease, 

 the latter being commonly used for those forms where the skin 

 and external parts are especially affected. This disease is seri- 

 ous because it may be transmitted to human beings with usually 

 fatal results, and because it results in great loss in horses. It 

 is easily spread among susceptible animals. Obscure cases may 

 be highly infectious. 



Susceptible animals. — Glanders is practically confined to don- 

 keys, mules and horses which are susceptible in the order named. 

 Human beings, sheep, and goats are susceptible. Cattle are 

 immune. 



Causes. — A minute rod-shaped germ (Bacillus mallei) is the 

 direct and specific cause of glanders. Unsanitary conditions and 

 everything which lessens the animal vigor may act as predis- 

 posing causes. The disease is more severe and more rapidly 

 fatal among animals which are crowded or overworked. 



Incubation. — The period of incubation varies greatly. Dif- 

 ferent authors have given it variously from three to seven days 

 in experimental work; but in natural eases it is usually about 

 two weeks. 



Symptoms 



For our purpose, glanders will be divided into but two types : 

 (a) Respiratory glanders, with or without lung lesions; and (6) 

 Farcy, affecting principally the skin and superficial connective 

 tissue. Lung lesions may accompany either type. Acute and 

 chronic cases of each form differ mainly in severity of symptoms 

 and rapidity of development. 



Respiratory glanders. — This type is characterized in general 

 by the development of nodules, which change to ulcers on the 

 mucous membrane of the respiratory apparatus; by a peculiar 

 sticky discharge from the nose ; and sometimes by chronic cough. 

 Certain lymph glands between the branches of the lower jaw 



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