FAI.'MKKS' ixsrniTKs. TUo 



Actinomycosis. Causes.— Actinomycosis is' an infectious disease com- 

 monly seen in cattle, but which may occur in hogs. The specific cause 

 is a fungus, cladothrix actinomyces, or ray fungus. Its natural habitat is 

 on plants (l)arley, wheat, etc.), and it has been found on the awns or 

 beards of these grains imbedded in the tongue of hogs. The parasite 

 gains entrance to the body through a wound in the mucous membrane 

 of the mouth or in some other part. It has been known to follow cas- 

 tration. Inhalation of the fungus may cause the disease. 



Symptoms and Lesions.— These occur as a result of the fungus multi- 

 plying in the tissues and causing them to break down. Tumors form on 

 the jaw or in any part of the body as a result of the infection. Fre- 

 quently the lungs are affected. When the disease is generalized, the pig 

 presents an unthrifty ai)pearance. As in tuberculosis, the disease may 

 not be recognized until the pig is slaughtered. 



The fungus appears in the affected tissues or in the pus trom an 

 abscess, as very small, yellow granules that can be seen with the naked 

 eye. These granules when placed under the microscope are found to be 

 made up of resettes, each composed of a number of club-shaped bodies 

 radiating from a central mass which is composed of the mycelial part of 

 the fungus, a fine thread-like structure. The clubs vary in size, l>ut are 

 usually from 1 to lOu long. 



Treatment.— The most practical method of handling cases of actino- 

 mycosis in pigs is to send them to the abattoir. In most cases the lesions 

 are localized and the part is tanked. If generalized the animal should be 

 condemned. If we desire to treat the pig, twenty grains of iodide of 

 potassium can be given in the feed daily for at least two weeks until the 

 symptoms of iodism are produced. The drug must be then discontinued. 

 and if the tumor does not become smaller in a few weeks, the treatment 

 shoiild be repeated. 



Anthrax.— Some literature on diseases of the hog regard hog cholera 

 and swine plague as forms of anthrax. Formerly this error was not well 

 nndcrsto-id by sAvine breeders, and undue i)roniinonf'e was given to a dis- 

 ease that is rarely seen in hogs outside of permaniMitly Infected sections of 

 the country. 



Causes.— Anthrax is caused by an organism. Bacillus anthracis. and is 

 found in diseased tissues from animals affected with the disease. If 

 the tissues of an animal that has died of this affection are exjiosed to 

 the air, the germ will form spores which are very resisting to destruc- 

 tive agents. When once these spores are introduced into a locality tiiey 

 tend to remain there for years, and wiienever the conditions are favornlth', 

 will cause an outbreak of anthrax. These spores are fre(pu'ntly carried 

 on the hides, wool, hoofs, horns, etc., removed from cattle ha vim;- antlirax 

 and outbreaks may occur as a result (tf ilic refuse fruni tanneries iuftM-'ing 

 pastures on wliich sheep and cattle graze. Ildgs are not very suscei>tible 

 to anthrax, and the common mode of infection is liy feeding on th(> carc;iss 



