870 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
the Veterinary Inspectors of the Health Department. Again 
their decision was u non-glandered,” and the owner was per¬ 
mitted to once more send this diseased animal forth into our 
public streets. 
As the only object of this article is to prove the efficacy of 
mallein as a diagnostic agent in glanders, my surprise at this 
most unexpected and inexplicable stand taken by our worthy 
and responsible Board of Health officials need not be here dis¬ 
cussed ; I may perhaps be permitted to confess that this whole¬ 
sale overruling of the decision of the S. P. C. A. official veteri¬ 
narian, without even a consultation, was rather remote from 
what one would naturally expect. 
However, incredibility followed upon the heels of astonish¬ 
ment when I was informed, just at this time, that the animal 
which I had condemned upon mere physical examination, had 
frequently been submitted to the mallein test by the Board of 
Health, and in their hands had at no time shown the slightest 
reaction. I very much questioned the thoroughness of the test- 
in their hands, as my faith in mallein as a sort of “ Roentgen 
Ray ” in searching out glanders, was founded upon practical ex¬ 
perience in my own practice. 
The next step proposed in this most interesting case was, I 
am informed, brought forward by the professional attendant, 
sanctioned by and with the cooperation of the Department of 
Health. It was a most strikingly novel one—because of its an¬ 
tiquity ! Behold, there was to be procured an aged horse, a 
young rabbit and a middle-aged guinea-pig for the purpose of 
inoculation ! Surely, an antediluvian mode of procedure, and 
one can almost fancy a scramble through the ark in quest of the 
sacrifices. In justice, let us add that, fortunately, this proposal 
was not executed, but such was the serious consideration of the 
above gentlemen. 
The next information which reached me in regard to the 
case in question, was the removal of the affected animal to the 
American Veterinary Hospital, where, under the direction of 
that body, the horse underwent the mallein test, which imme¬ 
diately reacted to such a degree that the subject was destroyed.. 
I, knowing nothing of this final step until after the test and the 
destruction of the animal had transpired, was, of course, not 
present to witness this confirmation by mallein of my previous 
decision upon mere ocular examination ; but I had an oppor¬ 
tunity of seeing the chart, which amply vindicated mallein 
against former imputations, as there was registered a reaction 
