ACTINOMYCOSIS 123 



instead of straight as in Trichophyton. There is also the greatest irregularity in 

 the refractile favus spores they are gnarled and bizarre shaped, in contrast to the 

 regular ovals or spheres of the ringworm fungus. Cultures show ridges or 

 convolutions. 



In the suborder Carpoascus we have to consider the family Perisporiaceae. In 

 this family the asci are completely inclosed by the investing membrane, the peri- 

 thecium. When this rots the spores are set free. There are two genera of interest, 

 Penicillium and Aspergillus. 



In Penicillium we have vertical branches with strings of conidia. In Aspergillus 

 these conidia arise from a globular termination of the hypha. 



Penicillium. While Penicillium does at times form perithecia, yet they char- 

 acteristically show chains of spores. The common P. glaucum resembles a hand 

 with terminal beads, more than the hair pencil, from which the name is derived. 

 P. crustaceum. Is the common blue-green mould. It has been deemed patho- 

 genic in cases of chronic catarrh of the eustachian tube and in gastric hyper- 

 acidity. 



Aspergillus. These have sterigmata carrying chains of spores, these sterigmata 

 being little processes projecting out from the knob-like termination of the aerial 

 hypha (columella). Of the pathogenic Aspergilli we have: 



1. A. fumigatus. This has been considered as the cause of pellagra. A pul- 

 monary mycosis resembling phthisis may be due to this species. 



2. A. repens. This has been found in the auditory canal and may produce a 

 false membrane. 



3. A. flavus. This has been found in the discharges of chronic ear diseases. 



4. A. nidulans has been reported as one of the causes of mycetoma showing white 

 granules. It has also been considered a cause of aural mycosis. 



5. A. concentricus. This is the cause of an important tropical ringworm, tinea 

 imbricata. The scales are dry, like pieces of tissue-paper. There are generally 

 about four rings which do not heal in the center. General appearance is that 

 of watered silk. There are no inflammatory lesions. Common in Malay 

 peninsula. Also found in some parts of the Philippines and in China. Some 

 authorities consider the fungus to be a Trichophyton. 



6. A. pictor. This is the cause of a skin affection of Central America. In the 

 affection colored spots appear on the skin, chiefly on face, forearms, and chest. 

 The disease is attended with a mangy odor. Spots are of various colors; if 

 the superficial epithelium is affected we have a dark violet color. Deeper 

 involvement gives red spots. 



Hyphomycetes. In this order are grouped certain genera which 

 cannot properly be assigned to any of the other orders. They are also 

 designated Fungi Imperfecti, for the reason that the fruiting bodies 

 characteristic of the other orders have not been satisfactorily observed. 



Discomyces bovis. This is the well-known ray fungus, the cajise of actinomycosis. 

 In man it is at times found in chronic suppurative conditions attended with much 

 granulation tissue. Such pus may show small yellow-gray granules about the 

 size of a pin's head. When spread out between two slides the central portion 



