424 



The Mallein Test. 



[OCT., 



closing of all public water troughs as a precaution against 

 the spread of glanders, but they have been advised that there 

 is not sufficient evidence forthcoming to indicate that the 

 closing of such troughs generally is reasonably necessary in 

 order to prevent the spread of the disease, a condition which 

 must necessarily exist before they could under their existing 

 powers take such action. The Board think, however, that 

 Local Authorities would do well to keep this matter in view, 

 as in some cases they may themselves have power to act, 

 apart altogether from the Diseases of Animals Acts, and 

 the enforcement of such a power might in certain circumstances 

 be very advisable. 



The Board trust that Local Authorities throughout Great 

 Britain will co-operate heartily with them, in a sustained 

 endeavour to eradicate glanders from this country, by making 

 arrangements for the administration of the new Order on the 

 lines above indicated. There seems little doubt but that the 

 disease has hitherto been to a large extent kept alive by 

 animals suffering from the disease in an occult form. The 

 mallein test supplies a weapon by means of which occult 

 disease may be detected, and if adequate steps are taken 

 to trace all animals which have within a reasonable period 

 been in contact with dangerously diseased animals, the occult 

 cases should by the application of the test soon be brought 

 to light, and unsuspected centres of disease be detected. 

 The necessary expenditure may, in the first instance, be 

 materially increased, but, if the considerations upon which 

 the Order is based are sound, the result aimed at should be 

 secured within a comparatively short period, whereupon 

 annual recurring expenditure of public monies in connection 

 with this disease would, it is confidently hoped, become a 

 thing of the past. 



The directions for applying the mallein test referred to in the 

 above circular are as follows : — 



As far as possible avoid applying the test to animals with a 



temperature which is distinctly above the normal, and the 



operations should be carried out under 

 Directions as to , . , ,. 



strict antiseptic conditions. 

 Applying the Mallein stock ma]lein shouId not 



Test 



be purchased for storing, as there is a 



