GLANDERS AND FARCY. 
451 
feel hard and knotty. Although this man suffered from incessant 
pain and want of sleep, it is worth remarking, that the only thing 
which seemed to cause him any anxiety was the fear (to use his 
own expression) that “ he had given the disease to a horse that was 
'perfectly sound when he went to attend it, hut soon became glan- 
dered:” his own sufferings seemed lost in this idea. 
These are melancholy details; but is it not right that they 
should be known ? They lead us irresistibly to the following 
general conclusions : — First, That man is liable to the infection of 
glanders — a disease hitherto supposed to be peculiar to the horse, 
the ass, and the mule. Secondly, That farcy, which is only a 
modification of glanders, may co-exist with that disease, as has 
been proved by inoculating with the virus of the two diseases. 
With that of farcy we may produce glanders, or vice versa . 
Thirdly, Inoculation is not absolutely necessary for the produc- 
tion of glanders or farcy; as, sometimes, the simple cohabitation 
with glandered animals seems to produce these diseases effec- 
tually ; from which we are led to infer that it is contagious. 
Fourthly, Glanders, in its severe form, seems to be an incurable 
malady both in man and horse. 
Prophylactic Measures, &c. — Although it is very true 
that sportsmen — that gentlemen themselves — rarely meddle with 
glandered horses, it by no means follows that they should not 
possess information that might be useful for those in their ser- 
vice who may be obliged to do so ; and, as there is no cure for 
glanders, every precaution should be taken to guard against that 
memento mori disease. The following simple measures are those 
which from considerable experience we can recommend. 
Whenever an animal is suspected of being glandered, the groom, 
or person attending it, should make a strong solution of alum, and 
keep it by him in the stable. As often as he has occasion to go 
near the horse to dress his sores, or open an abscess, or remove 
the halter, or administer medicine, he should immerse his hands 
in the alum solution, and keep them there for some moments. 
If there is a cut on his hand it should be carefully covered with 
adhesive plaister previously. This is not a mere quack remedy, 
and anatomists know that well, for prior to examining a brain, 
the most dangerous part of the dead human subject, they use 
this very remedy in the same way. Alum is an astringent, and 
by this property it can, for a certain time, stop the pores of the 
skin of the hand, and, consequently, prevent any absorption of 
poisonous matter from taking place. Perhaps other astringents, 
as sulphate of copper, would answer as well, but alum is cheaper, 
easier managed, less dangerous, and equally efficacious. 
We have stated that glanders and farcy were allied diseases ; 
