14 CLINICAL APPLIED ANATOMY. 



and so secondary foci, resembling in the chronic form of the 

 disease those of syphilis and tubercle, may be found in the 

 internal organs, muscles, and subcutaneous tissues. 



Actinomycosis. Actinomycosis may occur in the human 

 subject ; it is an infection by the actinomyces, or ray fungus. 

 The fungus most commonly gains entrance through the mucous 

 membrane of the alimentary tract, particularly of the mouth and 

 the appendix vermiformis, from the chewing and ingestion of 

 infected grain. 



In the human subject the disease is not infrequently seen in 

 the cheek or subcutaneous tissue of the neck. When the infec- 

 tion occurs lower in the alimentary tract it seldom shows itself 

 until the liver or spleen becomes involved, when these organs 

 frequently become attached to the surrounding tissues by in- 

 flammation, and the characteristic actinomycotic pus is discharged 

 externally. The fungus will then have a great tendency to 

 burrow in the superficial fascia and to give rise to a considerable 

 number of tortuous sinuses. 



Infection may also occur through the respiratory tract, from 

 which it spreads extensively, not only in the lung tissue, but over 

 the pleura and into the neighbouring bones, and again a large 

 number of sinuses opening in all directions is likely to be seen. 



