VETERINATIY SCIENCE AND PRACTICE. 49V) 



undertaken an extensive study of the diseases included under the name actinomy- 

 cosis. During these investigations it was found that a large number of cases were 

 not due to the ordinary streptothrix of actinomycosis, but to a bacillus which pro- 

 duces very similar pathological lesions. The disease is therefore called actinobacillo- 

 sis on account of its being due to a bacillus which produces radiate structures in 

 affected tissues. The disease has been known in Argentina for a nund^er of years but 

 an especially extensive outbreak occurred during the years 1900 and 1901. Actino- 

 bacillosis occurs under a number of forms and may affect different tissues, such as the 

 skin, subcutaneous connective tissue, lymphatic glands, salivary glands, and various 

 parenchymatous tissues. Among the vital organs the lungs, tongue, and pharynx 

 are most often affected. The tegumentary form of the disease occurs most frecjuently 

 in the region of the pharynx, where large tumors are formed which may ultimately 

 open and discharge a part or all of their contents. As contrasted with the ordinary 

 form of actinomycosis due to streptothrix, this form of the disease affects the lym- 

 phatic glands very frequently. It is especially frequent in the glands about the 

 pharynx, including the retropharyngeal and sublingual. When the tongue is 

 affected by actinobacillosis this organ becomes altered so as to present the usual 

 symptoms of wooden tongue. Detailed notes are given on the pathological changes 

 produced by the disease in the pharynx, salivary glands, mammary glands, and 

 internal organs. 



Considerable evidence is presented to show that actinobacillosis is infectious and 

 that it spreads rapidly among herds of cattle. It is almost entirely confined to 

 cattle, but may occasionally occur in sheep and other animals. The mortality in some 

 outbreaks of the disease was as high as 52 per cent. The morphological characters 

 and behavior of the organism on the various nutrient media are described in detail. 

 The organism is said to possess only a slight resisting power against physical and 

 chemical agents. It is killed by subjection to a terpperature of 100° C. for 1 minute 

 or 52° C. for an hour and a half. It is only slightly resistant to desiccation. A toxin 

 was readily obtained from cultures of the organism, and its injurious action was 

 tested on experimental animals. It was found that the serum of animals which had 

 received a culture of the bacillus or of the toxin acquired remarkable agglutinating 

 powers toward the organism. The agglutinating power manifests itself within 3 or 

 4 days after subcutaneous inoculation in cattle and horses, and persists for a con- 

 siderable length of time. The intensity of agglutinating power varies with different 

 animals. 



Detailed notesaregivenoninoculation experiments in various animals. Guinea pigs 

 were susceptible to the bacillus, while rabbits were quite resistant and birds entirely 

 refractory. Dogs, cats, and pigs were destroyed by hypodermic inoculation, while 

 horses and <lonkeys were very resistant. 



lodid of potash was found to be almost a specific for actinobacillosis. Under pro- 

 onged treatment with this remedy the lesions disappeared and a complete recovery 

 took place in a large percentage of cases. Where superficial tumors are found it is 

 recommended that they be opened and that the pus be evacuated. This should be 

 followed by the ordinary treatment. The disease is recurrent and one attack does 

 not confer immunity. "i 



Actinomycosis, J. Barcia y Trelles {L'Ing. Agr. Gembloux, 12 {1902), No. 10,. 

 pp. 472-486).— A. general description and discussion of this disease is presented, giving 

 an account of the distribution, clinical symptoms, nature, bacterial cause, morbid 

 infection, serum diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment, and immunity. 



Observations on vertebral actinomycosis in cows, Poes {Ann. Med. Vet. 51 

 (1902), No. 2, pp. 89-92).— In connection with the numerous cases of tubercular 

 meningitis observed in cattle, the author considers it of importance to report the 

 occurrence of actinomycosis of the membranes of the spinal cord, accompanied with 

 nervous symptoms somewhat resembling those of tubercular meningitis. Upon post- 

 13507— No. 5—03 7 



