CONTAGION OF CHRONIC GLANDERS. 583 
and humidity taking the lead of the others ; which accounts 
for the victims being more numerous in low, wet countries, 
and in habitations which are cold and wet. 
At the present day the mortality of troop horses owes its 
decrease to their being more salubriously lodged ; placed in 
drier situations, such as admit of the accomplishment of the 
depurating function. We cannot, on any other ground, 
explain the operation of humidity in the production of phe- 
nomgia resulting from it. That its effect is simply a de- 
pressing one, is proved by the fact, that almost all the troop- 
horses attacked by glanders are the more vigorous and in the 
best condition. Also in country places, where horses are 
housed at random, it is but rarely that we meet wdth any 
glandered horses; such being owing to the rarity of their 
sw T eatings, the horses not undergoing violent exercise. 
The little frequency of glanders in hot and dry countries ex- 
plains the freedom of action of the skin, for the entire perform- 
ance of its functions. And as an argument, further to show 
that modified perspiration is the determining cause of glanders, 
I adduce the abscnee of the disease in any form showing the 
direct action of the air, either through clothing or grooming, 
or their manner of living or working, so long as the horses 
are not subject to profuse sweatings. 
Whenever the functions of the skin are suddenly sus- 
pended, will glanders, however, certainly result? Assuredly, 
no! Different morbid phenomena may turn it off; either 
rgnal or intestinal action may compensate for the suspension 
of the cutaneous secretion, or principal organs may become 
depositaries for the excess, and then arise acute phlegmasise 
in the ordinary pathological apparatus ; or else, and this last 
is the most common, the perspiration which has, under the 
influence of the air, undergone alterations unknown in nature, 
is carried into the circulation by the absorbents of the skin, 
and gives rise to a virulent disease, making election of the 
nasal cavities or of the skin for its seat. 
As to the nature of glanders, it is inflammatory, with 
special properties. Its inflammatory character is sufficiently 
'developed by the form it assumes, by the effect of antiphlo- 
gistic treatment upon its acute stage, and by the facility with 
which, under the influence of certain agents, the chronic 
disease passes into the acute stage. 
Under these indications, treatment in the acute stage 
ought to consist in the employment of energetic antiphlo- 
gistics, and in the administration of substances calculated to 
arouse the cutaneous functions. Revulsions at this time 
become excellent adjuvants. Towards the skin likewise 
