'268 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF THE OX. 



symptoms and the swelling of the head subside. In about four- 

 and-a-half days' time the spots become brownish, and at about 

 the tenth day they disappear. The cuticle then generally peels 

 off, and some symptoms of catarrh continue. In cases which 

 have proved fatal it was observed that diarrhoea, coupled with 

 pain, occurred at about the ninth day. It has been proved that 

 the disease can be transmitted by means of inoculation with the 

 matter discharged from the nostrils, or with the scales taken off 

 the skin. Out of 103 animals which were inoculated, only one 

 died. Plenty of water should be allowed, and nitre should also 

 be supplied for the sheep to lick. ^ T(i^« , 



ACTINOMYCOSIS: A NEWLY-DIS COVE RED INFEC- 

 TIOUS DISEASE OF ANIMALS AND MAN. 



The disease upon which we purpose to discourse to-day is 

 unfortunately of far more common occurrence than is generally 

 known, and is a serious source of loss to the stock-breeder and 

 dairy farmer of our own and other countries. Our knowledge 

 of its intrinsic nature and of its causes and treatment is of very 

 recent date, and actinomycosis is consequently spoken of as 

 ** the new infectious disease of animals and man.'' 



At the outset of our description we may briefly state that 

 actinomycosis is a serious malady characterised by the growth ol 

 tumours of varying size and shape, generally met with on the 

 tongue, jaw, sockets of the teeth (dental alveoli), bones and soft 

 tissues of the head, and from such spots it may spread and 

 invade neighbouring parts. Some of our readers will no 

 doubt have had the misfortune to have cattle infected in this 

 manner. 



Long before the true nature of actinomycosis was discovered, 

 the disease was known; but men had only dim and confused 

 notions of its actual nature. In our own country it was termed 

 cancerous tongue, scrofulous tongue, schirrous tongue, glossitis, 

 and was often spoken of as tubercular in nature, being specified 

 "*' tubercular stomatitis.'' In Germany the disease has been a 

 very prevalent one, and has been known as Holz-zunge (wooden 

 tongue), Krebsbacken, Wind-dorn, Schlundbeulen (Throat- 

 boils). 



Bollinger was the first to describe actinomycosis in cattle in 

 the year 1887, and to him is to be attributed the honour of first 



