DISEASES OF CATTLE 293 



have proved with few exceptions its specific curative value. In addi- 

 tion to this the tumor should be painted externally with the tincture 

 of iodine or Lugol's solution, or one of these solutions should be 

 injected subcutaneously into the tumor. 



M. Godbille has given as much as 4 drams of potassium iodide 

 in one day to a steer, decreasing the dose one-fourth dram each day 

 until the dose was 1% drams, which was maintained until the twelfth 

 day of treatment, when the steer appeared entirely cured. 



M. Nocard gave the first day 1^ drams in one dose to a cow ; the 

 second and succeeding days a dose of 1 dram in the morning and 

 evening, in each case before feeding. This treatment was continued 

 for ten days, when the animal was cured. 



ACTINOMYCOSIS AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH. 



The interest which is shown concerning this cattle disease is 

 largely due to the fact that the same disease attacks human beings. 

 Its slow progress, its tendency to remain restricted to certain localities, 

 and the absence of any directly contagious properties have thus far 

 not aroused any anxiety in other countries as to its influence on the 

 cattle industry, not even to the point of placing it among the infec- 

 tious diseases of which statistics are annually published. Its possible 

 bearing on public health has, however, given this disease a place in 

 the public mind which it hardly deserves. 



It has already been stated that the actinomyces fungus found in 

 human disease is considered by authorities the same as that occurring 

 in bovine affections. It is therefore of interest to conclude this article 

 with a brief discussion of the disease in man and its relation to acti- 

 nomycosis in cattle. 



In man the location of the disease process corresponds fairly well 

 with that in cattle. The majority of cases which have been reported 

 in different parts of the world and they are now quite numerous 

 indicate disease of the face. The skin, tongue, or the jawbones may 

 become affected, and by a very slow process it may extend downward 

 upon the neck and even into the cavity of the chest. In many cases 

 the teeth have been found in a state of more or less advanced decay 

 and ulceration. In a few cases disease of the lungs was observed 

 without coexisting disease of the bones or soft parts of the head. In 

 such cases the fungus must have been inhaled. The disease of the 

 lungs after a time extends upon the chest wall. Here it may corrode 

 the ribs and work its way through the muscles and the skin. An 

 abscess is thus formed, discharging pus containing actinomyces 

 grains. Disease of the digestive organs caused by this fungus has 

 also been observed in a few instances. 



Granting the identity of the disease in man and cattle, the ques- 

 tion has been raised whether cattle are responsible for the disease in 

 man. Any transmission of the infectious agent may be conceived of 

 as taking place during the life of the animal and after slaughter from 

 the meat. That human beings have contracted actinomycosis by 

 coming in contact with diseased cattle is not shown by the cases that 

 have hitherto been reported, for the occupations of most of the pa- 

 tients did not bring them into any relation whatever with cattle. 



