674 Botryomycosis. 



also an inflammatory edema which disappears in from 3 to 10 

 days, but is replaced in the course of 4 to 6 weeks by the gradual 

 development of lobulated boils, in the interior of the soft foci 

 of which groups of cocci with hyaline capsules occur, just as 

 after natural infection (Rabe). 



According to Babe as well as Poncet & Dor, a hyaline capsule which enveloi^es 

 the individual groups of cocci is the product of a reactive inflammation of the 

 surrounding tissues, while according to Johne it is a product of the cocci them- 

 selves. 



On the other hand, Ernst looks upon the capsules as a degeneration product 

 resulting from the mucoid degeneration of the cocci in the periphery of the groups 

 under the influence of lytic or agglutinating immune bodies which cause their 

 destruction, the growing central mass causing the peripheral cocci to be compressed 

 into a scaly or striated structure. The capsule thus formed is supposed to be dis- 

 tended and ruptured here and there as a result of central growth, the vegetating 

 cocci finding their way through these openings to the jjeriphery and forming new, 

 smaller encapsulated structures. The repetition of these processes at various points 

 results in the formation of the morula like structures. 



Very frequently it is possible to cultivate organisms from 

 botryomyeomata that resemble staphylococcus pyogenes aureus in every 

 respect and for this reason de Jong as well as Galli-Valerio regarded 

 the Botryomyces as identical with, or at least as a variety of this 

 Staphylococcus. According to de Jong these cocci, when retained in 

 primary abscesses as a result of incomplete discharge of their contents, 

 suffer a check in their vitality which results in the formation of capsules 

 and the characteristic zoogloea forms; the latter thus constitute a 

 permanent irritant in the tissues. As an argument against the identity 

 of the forms above mentioned, Parascandolo cites experiments in which 

 blood serum obtained from rabbits treated with staphylococci failed 

 to agglutinate botryomyces, and he further claims that reciprocal 

 agglutination on the part of these two parasites could not be demon- 

 strated. It has also never been possible to produce typical botryomyces 

 with cultures of staphylococcus aureus. 



Kitt and Bodin have also succeeded in obtaining the S. aureus, 

 Hell the S. albus, Mari the S. aureus as well as the S. eitreus in cultures 

 from botryomyeomata and these authors as well as Sabazes & Laubie. 

 and MacFadyean are also inclined to look upon the botryomyces as 

 a variety or latent form of the cocci referred to, viz., S. aureus, albus 

 and eitreus. On the other hand Poncet & Dor as well as Parascandolo 

 regarded this organism as a specific variety of bacterium. Letulle 

 assumes a unique position claiming that the individual elements of 

 this organism are identical with intestinal amebae which have enveloped 

 leucocytic nuclei. 



Natural infection usually occurs through bruises or incised 

 wounds of the skin (in exceptional instances following amputa- 

 tion of the tail, docking). The virus is usually rubbed into 

 superficial wounds and into the excretory ducts of the cutaneous 

 glands by a tight-fitting harness. A¥hen the tumor thus resulting 

 breaks, portions of the discharged viscous secretions adhere to 

 the harness and are thus transmitted to other animals on the 

 first opportunity (Wester). In exceptional cases botryomyeo- 

 mata may also occur on portions of the body that do not come 

 in contact, with harness (for example, in the udder, under the 



