Chapter XI 



181 — Human and Animal Diseases 



infection. Metastatic cerebral abscesses or meningitis is a frequent complication 

 of primary lung infection. 



3. Actinomycosis of the central nervous system usually does not present symp- 

 toms referable to a distinct clinical entity. 



4. Abdominal actinomycosis. This form usually originates in the region of the 

 appendix and cecum, presenting the picture of subacute appendicitis. The disease 

 may follow appendectomy, with failure of the scar to heal completely or a break- 

 ing through of a sinus in the old scar or in the region of the navel. 



The causation of infection and the pathology of actinomycosis are 

 discussed in further detail by Cope (80) and by Poncet and Berard 

 (343), Henrici (169), and many others. The exogenous theory of 



Fig. 38.— The appearance of a Nocardia in the sputum of an infected patient 

 Cfrom Davis, 88). 



infection at first based upon the work of Bostroem, who suggested that 

 infection results from handling of straw or other plant materials, has 

 b^en gradually replaced by the endogenous theory, as postulated by 

 Lord, Naeslund, Emmons, Slack, and others. According to the 



