no FUNGOID DISEASES 



Cause. — The abnormal appearance above noted 

 is caused by the parasitic fungus Actinomyces bovis^ 

 which was first discovered by Bollinger about 1877. 

 Sections through the nodules show that they con- 

 sist, internally, of loosely arranged knot-like 

 branched hyphae, which are arranged radially at the 

 periphery of the nodule (hence the term ray fungus), 

 and terminate in a flask-like expansion. Numerous 

 small bodies resembling cocci or bacilli may be 

 found arranged end to end in the sw^ellings, and 

 also liberated and distributed between the hyphae ; 

 they result from the breaking up of the hyphae and 

 are called " fragmentation spores ". 



Most authorities now consider the disease of 

 bacterial origin. 



Ti'eatment. — The disease is most difficult to 

 combat. Pricking the tongue with a needle has 

 been recommended, but is of doubtful value. Some 

 veterinary surgeons advise immediate slaughter ;; 

 in any case, professional advice should be sought. 



Scrape the parts and dress with a solution consist- 

 ing of equal parts of tincture of iodine and carbolic 

 acid, and give iodide of potash internally ( Levie). 



II. Ringworm (Oidiwn tonsurans; Trichophy- 

 ton tonsiwans, Malmsten ; Herpes tonstcrans). 

 Fungi Imperfect i. 



Most frequent on young cattle in poor condi- 

 tion, but also found on horses, goats, and dogs. 



Symptoms. — Irregular circular areas appear, 



