ACTINOMYCOSIS OP THE TONGUE. 261 



muscular connective tissue. Imminger has found only 4 to 8 per- 

 cent, of these tongue diseases to be due to actinomycosis. Probably 

 staphylococci are sometimes the cause. Truelsen and many others 

 have detected actinomyces in the horse's tongue. Compared with 

 actinomycosis, tuberculosis of the tongue in oxen is very rare. 



GLOSSITIS 'CHRONICA INTERSTITIALIS FIBROSA. 



This disease, first described by Truelsen as occurring in the ox, 

 consists essentially in simple hyperplasia of the interstitial connective 

 tissue of the tongue. The tongue feels hard and craunches under 

 the knife. The cut surface is smooth and greyish white. The 

 muscular substance has almost disappeared. Imminger describes 

 two forms, viz. : (1) Disease of the tip of the tongue in young, and 

 (2) disease of the base of the tongue in old animals. 



The affected oxen can chew but little or not at all. They certainly 

 attempt to take food but chew slowly and let fall most of what is 

 grasped ; on the other hand they can swallow fluids. Salivation 

 soon sets in and the manger is often covered with foamy saliva. The 

 tongue feels hard and rigid, but is smooth and not painful on 

 manipulation. 



In well-developed cases and in full-grown cattle the prognosis is 

 unfavourable. Such animals had best be slaughtered. Under oppo- 

 site circumstances something can be done. Early treatment in 

 young animals is often completely successful. Older animals are 

 usually incurable. As in actinomycosis, iodide of potassium is given 

 in full doses and the tongue is painted with tincture of iodine, if 

 necessary after scarification. 



ACTINOMYCOSIS OF THE TONGUE. GLOSSITIS ACTINOMYCOTICA. 



This disease is very common in cattle, and a few cases in horses 

 and swine have been recorded. Certain localities seem particularly 

 affected. France appears nearly exempt, but Russia, Denmark, 

 America and North Africa furnish numerous cases. The disease is 

 fairly common in Germany, 7 2 per cent, of the total number of oxen 

 slaughtered in Berlin showing it. 



The changes in the tongue consist in chronic proliferation of the 

 connective tissue, which exhibits numerous granulating centres. In 

 these the specific fungi are embedded. Sometimes the centres 

 suppurate. The swellings and abscesses usually rise above the 

 general surface of the tongue and are readily visible. Sometimes 



