17
(b) Mallein reacted in two only out of 40 cases.
(c) Presence in large numbers of another organism, other than that of
Glanders.
(d) Absence of Bacillus Mallei, (i) on microscopical examination, (ii) on
Cultivation experiments, (iii) on inoculation experiments.
Diagnosis.—At present the only two diseases which present symptoms
similating Glanders-Farcy are, " Lymphangitis Epizootica" first described by
Rivolta in 1873, and " Ulcerative Lymphangitis " worked out by Nocard, a full
account of which was published by this observer in 1897. These two forms of
Lymphangitis are totally distinct from each other and are due to the presence
in the animal's body of micro-organisms belonging to different species. No
doubt other forms of Lymphangitis are as yet undiscovered. When early and
reliable diagnosis are required, miscroscopical and bacteriological methods can
alone secure infallible results.
Given a specimen of pus, from a case of one of the above three diseases ; a
diagnosis being required (i) Glanders-Farcy. (ii) Epizootica Lymphangitis
(Rivolta). (iii) Ulcerative Lymphangitis, (Nocard). Microscopical examin-
ation of unstained specimens of the pus from a freshly opened pustule will imme-
diately reveal whether we have to do with Lymphangitis Epizootica (Rivolta),
for with a power of 500 diameters, roundish bodies, with somewhat pointed
ends, or one end pointed and the other rounded, highly retractile and present-
ing a double contour, will be seen free in the pus or encapsuled in the cells,
produced by the inflammatory process. At first sight one is immediately re-
minded of the likeness of this organism to the " Caccidium Oviforme" so
frequently observed in the liver of the rabbit, or of a yeast cell, Sacchromyces.
If none of the above mentioned corpuscles are present in the pus from a re-
cently opened pustule, one can safely say the disease is not Lymphangitis
Epizootica.
Again if Nocard disease, Ulcerative Lymphangitis, is the one under
examination, the pus will contain short thick rods (bacilli) with round
extremities, free in the fluid of the specimen or encapsuled in the cells.
With regard to the Bacillus Mallei, little will be discovered without staining
the specimen by Loeffier's method, when bacilli stained blue, 2 to 5 Greek letter
in length will be observed with the aid of an oil immersion. This
bacillus, however, is not stained by Gram's method, whereas Nocard's
organism stains well with it. If interperitoneal injection of pus by Strauss's
method be resorted to, no result will accrue from the pus of Rivolta, but an
orchitis will be set up within 7 days, if the Glanders Bacillus or Nocard's
organism be present.
The injection of Mallein produces absolutely no reaction in the case of the
Ulcerative Lymphangitis (Nocard), whereas a Glanders-Farcy animal presents
an extremely well marked thermal and local reaction.
Lymphangitis Epizootica, also known in England as Neapolitan or Benigu
Farcy ; in Italy as Linfangite Epizootica, and Linfangite farcinoide ; whilst in
Algeria and France, it has received numerous synonyms according to its loca-
tion, viz., Lymphangite or Farcin d' afrique, Lymphangite Epizootica, Farcin
de reviere Farcin en cul-de poute and Farcin curable.
It is a virulent disease, inoculable especially in equines, characterized by
suppuration of the superficial lying lymphaties, and due to the presence in the
tissues of a specific organism the " Cryptococcus fareiminosus Rivoltae " and is
quite distinct from Glanders. The disease develops from wounds after a period
of incubation of about three months (may occupy 4 weeks to 6 months, average
about three months).
(Director's, Army Remount Department, attention specially called to
the following :—From what I have ascertained from the records of cases at
Hapur during my short visit, March 3rd to 5th, the period of incubation of
the disease in animals, which have been since destroyed, was in some cases
much longer than that observed in Europe, probably eight to twelve months
or more).
It is a serious disease on account of its contagiousness and possible
complications. This form of Lymphangitis extends exclusively by immediate
contact and is for the most part a local disease. The different modes of
infection, when once a wound is present, by means of soiled litter, harness,