ACTINOMYCOS1S. 221 



bacillus, grown in 5 per cent, nutrient glycerin-veal-bouillon, 

 is evaporated to one-tenth its volume. The result is mallein. 



It is very largely employed as a diagnostic agent. The 

 method of administration and the reaction in positive cases 

 are the same as with tuberculin. In an animal affected with 

 glanders there usually appears at the site of inoculation or 

 injection a very large painful swelling accompanied by con- 

 siderable inflammation of the lymph-vessels and glands and 

 oedema. This reaction persists for from three to ten days. 

 In animals free from glanders the small cedematous tumors 

 disappear in twenty-four hours. 



Prophylaxis : A rigid quarantine should be instituted in 

 stables in which glanders is found. The affected animals 

 should be killed immediately and the carcass destroyed by 

 fire. The attendants should be warned of the danger of con- 

 tracting the disease, and precautions taken to prevent infection 

 from spreading to the other stock. 



Actinomycosis (Streptothrix Actinomyces). 



Actinomycosis is a disease of cattle, but is occasionally 

 seen in man. 



The cause of this peculiar affection is the actinomyces or 

 " ray fungus." Actinomycosis is no longer regarded as a 

 mould disease, but is now placed in the same class as tuber- 

 culosis. 



The exciting cause is not a mould, but a streptothrix, one 

 of the higher class of bacteria. In the course of its growth 

 ft is seen to assume a variety of forms, sometimes a coccus, or 

 a bacillus, or at other times a distinct fungous arrangement. 

 Hektoen's valuable work in connection with the study of 

 this organism has enabled us to make a proper classification 

 of the actinomyces. 



Although the infectious character of the disease was known 

 as early as 1845, it was not until many years later, in 1877, 

 that the specific cause was discovered. The disease was first 

 described in man in 1885 by Israel. Four years later, Bos- 

 trom succeeded in cultivating the actinomyces, and he has 

 given a very detailed account of his work. The organism, 



