It is now perfectly well known that glanders is communicable to the human subject, and by inoculation to guinea-pigs, sheep, and goats. Cattle only suffer local disease, rabbits are very slightly susceptible. Among the carnivora, lions and other animals of the same class, kept in menageries and fed on raw flesh of horses, incur the risk of getting glanderous matter in this way introduced into their systems. Several cases of extensive ulceration of the skin of the paws, followed by the death of the animals, have occurred among lions in different parts of the country. It is satisfactory, however, to note that the infective matter of glanders does not retain its activity for a very long time; exposure to dry air kills it in fifteen to twenty days; but so long as a horse is affected with the disease in any form, a constant supply of the virus is kept up, and susceptible animals, as well as men attending upon the diseased horse, incur a certain amount of risk. Suspected animals, therefore, should be kept in a secure place until the nature of the disease is determined. The injection of mallein will at once resolve any doubt which may exist, and if the suspected horse exhibits the characteristic reaction - that is, rise of temperature to 103°, 104°, or 105°, with signs of systematic disturbance, dulness and loss of appetite, and a swelling at the seat of inoculation - it is tolerably certain that the suspected horse is suffering from glanders, and it should be destroyed without delay.

Glanders is the only contagious disease of the horse which is dealt with by any general order under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894.

The Glanders and Farcy Order of 1894 gives extensive powers to local authorities with regard to public warning of the existence of the disease; the movement of diseased or suspected horses, asses, or mules; cleansing and disinfection; and also for slaughter of diseased horses and the payment of compensation. The first duty of the owner of a diseased horse is to give notice of the fact of the existence of the disease to a police constable in his district, which notice will be communicated to the local authority and to the Board of Agriculture in order that the necessary measures may be adopted.