GLANDERS IN A FEMALE. 
349 
CASE OF GLANDERS IN A FEMALE : 
WITH REMARKS ON THE TRANSMISSION OF THE DISEASE FROM 
THE HORSE TO THE HUMAN SUBJECT. 
By A. W. Cockburn, M.D. 
Mrs. Slims, aged 52, wife of a cab-driver, was seen by 
me on Friday, 4th February, 1853. She had been in bed 
for nine days, complaining of feverishness and rheumatism. 
When I saw her she had excessive pain in the extremities, 
especially the lower limbs. The ankles were red, swollen, 
and tender, but not glazed. On the right forearm there 
w r as an abscess the size of an egg. The body and limbs 
were covered with spots, some of a bright livid colour; 
others with pus ; some like mere pimples ; and on some 
parts there w r ere patches similar to erythema. On the fore- 
head, over the right temple, was an ulcer, or rather a cluster 
of vesicles injured by a blow since their formation. This 
ulcer was irregular and superficial, with dark, ragged, angry- 
looking edges, and trifling discharge ; it was about the size 
of a half-crown. There was much thirst and fever. The 
pulse was quick and small; the tongue dry and foul; the 
urine scanty and high-coloured ; the countenance depressed 
and anxious. She had been slightly delirious the previous 
night, but was now sensible. She was ordered to take a 
mixture of acetate of potash, every two hours, and a pill of 
soap and opium at night. A poultice was applied to the 
forehead and arm, the feet and ankles were wrapped in 
cotton wool. 5th : She was much the same ; had had some 
ease and two hours* sleep after taking the pill. The feet 
were not quite so red, but still very painful. The urine was 
clearer, and more abundant. She had had one dark offen- 
sive motion. She was sensible, and complained of pain in 
the stomach from the medicine. The acetate of potash mix- 
ture was changed for one with colchicum and hyoscyamus ; 
and a pill with colchicum and conium was ordered to be 
given at night. 6th : During the night, a sudden discharge 
of very offensive dark-coloured pus took place from the nose, 
at half-past ten, a.m. She was drowsy all night, but was 
sensible when roused. She had not passed urine, unless in 
bed. The bowels had been moved once, and the motion 
was less offensive. The nostrils were dilated, and clogged 
with dark glairy matter; the throat was full of viscid 
phlegm, with difficulty of expelling it ; the eyes were swollen 
and closed, with copious discharge. The pustules were 
xxvi. 46 
