Microhic Diseases Individually Considered. 281 



corded its occurrence in tlie pus of a chronic mam- 

 mitis in the cow. 



The parasite appears in the form of a cluster of 

 small spheres full of micrococci. j,.^ ^^ 



The latter are united by a gelatinous 

 substance, and each of the spheres 

 is inclosed by a double contoured 

 membrane. JSTew spheres develop .^ 

 at the periphery of the colony. The 

 parasite is related to the genus as- 

 COCOCCUS. Botryococcus asco- 



Staining mav be obtained by the f«^™^"«- Slightly 

 " " . '' magnified. (Kitt.) 



method of Gram, with eosm as con- 

 trast stain. The eosin becomes fixed especially on 

 the gelatinous fundamental substance ; picric acid 

 has a similar action. 



The pathogenesis of the lesions (botryomycomata, 

 mycofibromata, mycodesmoides) is the same as that 

 of the actinomycomata. They are inflammatory 

 tumors of slow evolution showing a mixture of 

 granulation tissue and fibrous tissue of diflferent de- 

 grees of condensation. The granulation tissue is 

 often arranged in tuberculiform masses of which the 

 parasite occupies the center, and the elements of 

 which may suppurate, become necrosed, and give rise 

 to fistulous tracks. 



The parasite generally confines its ravages to its 

 primary seat ; it may, however, migrate toward the 

 lymphatic glands and may even pass into the blood. 

 Metastatic foci then appear, commonly localized in 

 the lung, skin, etc. In the lung these lesions have a 

 resemblance to those of glanders. 

 24 



