Actinomycosis. 143 



The discharge may be on the outside or into the mouth 

 or throat. The sore at the point of discharge may be- 

 come very large and have the appearance of a head of 

 cauliflower. The growth of the tumor may continue for 

 years, death being caused because of its interference with 

 breathing or swallowing. The tongue is sometimes in- 

 volved, in which case the disease is often given the name 



PIG. 17. ACTINOMYCOSIS. 



'The spongy condition of the jaw bone was produced 

 by the growth of the fungus. 



of "wooden tongue." The organism may invade the 

 bony part of the jaw, causing the bone to become spongy 

 and enlarged, while the teeth may fall out. 



Lesions. The lesions of actinomycosis may occur in 

 various other parts of the body than about the head. In 

 the lungs nodules are often formed that are very similar 

 to the nodules found in tuberculosis of the lungs. They 

 vary in size from mere specks to that of a pea. Still 

 other organs, as the spleen, liver, and udder may contain 

 the nodules produced by the growth of the organism. 

 The pus discharged from the actinomycotic nodules i* 



