Early methods for the surveillance and control of glanders in Europe.

Abstract

From the many existing documents on the history of glanders, it is possible to detail the practical measures adopted for disease surveillance and control from antiquity until the 19th century, principally in European countries. Surveillance is based on clinical diagnosis, post-mortem examination, animal inoculation and knowledge of the conditions under which infection occurred: aetiology, pathogenesis, susceptible species, virulent material, mode of infection, incubation period, etc. The historical data are assembled and compared, with comments on each of these points. Control is based on the application of general disease control measures and attempts at vaccination and treatment. A study of these procedures enables a comparison of their efficacy and a description of the major steps in their implementation.