ACTINOMYCOSIS. 447 



Ponfick thus summarised these experiments with the Ix.vin,- 

 fungus : 



1. Rabbits and dogs possess a marked immunity from actin.. 

 mycosis, whether pieces of tumour or isolated grains :m . a.lmini>i,.iv.l 

 I >y feeding, or by inoculation in the serous cavities, in the subcutaneous 

 or submucous tissue, or by intravenous injection. 



2. The most common subject of actinmuyr.iMs, the cow, possesses 

 a not less marked susceptibility to the artificial production of the 

 disease. By feeding, an infection was not obtained, pn.hal.lv 

 because the mucous membrane had not been injured; but by 

 inoculation, on the contrary, an independent growth of fn-h 

 neoplasms was produced in the subcutaneous and intermusciilar 

 tissues, occasionally in the submucous tissue, and in a deci<l-<l 

 manner in the abdominal cavity. Clear evidence of this growth 

 is obtained in some cases within a month, or after three or 

 four months. 



3. By intravenous injection, also, it is possible in a few month- 

 to cause typical new growths in the lungs. 



MADURA DISEASE. 



Mycetoma, or Madura foot, is a chronic local disease, attacking 

 <-hiefly the hands and feet, and having considerable resemblance to 

 actinomycosis. It is a disease of tropical climates, and is commonly 

 known as the " fungus-foot disease " of India. A small tumour f< >nn> 

 on the hand or foot, which after a year or two suppurates and 

 bursts, leaving one or more sinuses, from which peculiar black 

 particles, or white or pinkish roe-like bodies, are discharged. 



The disease in the foot may commence in the big toe and spread 

 upwards, involving the leg as far as the knee, and <-\en the thiirh. 

 In a typical case the foot is enlarged and painful, ainl later there 

 are several sinuses from which a purulent and blood-stain*-.! ili>eharge 

 can be expressed, containing the characteristic parti< ! >. 



According to Bocarro all early growths are superficial. Dissec- 

 tion of the growths during an operation, or sections made through 

 the diseased tissues after excision or amputation, show that the 

 disease begins generally in the loose cellular tissue, generally the 

 subcutaneous tissue, and thence extends along the sheath of muscles 

 and tendons to other soft tissues, and finally the bones. 



There are several facts in connection with th- nni>ati..n <>f th- 

 disease, which are of great interest when it is compared to act i 

 mycosis in cattle. Bocarro states that tin- disease originates iu 



