VACCINE-THERAPY 165 



month previous to exposure to infection. This is not 

 always practicable ; but, he adds, " treatment may be in- 

 stituted at the time of exposure. The disease will not always 

 be prevented at this stage, but the severity of the symptoms, 

 if the dog becomes infected, will be much decreased and the 

 duration of the disease lessened." 



For those cases where the disease is established, Ferry 

 prescribes a polyvalent curative vaccine, beginning with 

 the following initial dose : 



Bronchosepticus 100,000,000 



Staphylococci 50,000,000 



Streptococci 25,000,000 



The doses are repeated every third or fifth day, each 

 dose increasing by a hundred million bronchosepticus, and 

 the other bacteria pro rata according to symptoms and 

 reaction shown. In mild cases four doses may be given, 

 and in severe cases six to seven doses are advised. 



Actinomycosis. 



This disease is very widely spread in some districts, 

 particularly in low-lying, damp areas, and is most commonly 

 seen in bovines. 



It may show itself as a localized neoplasm in the region 

 of the neck, jaw, or throat. The tongue also is a common 

 seat of infection, or it may be diffused, affecting important 

 organs, and simulating in many ways tuberculosis. 



Under medicinal treatment many cases made good 

 recoveries. Potassium iodide or hydrargyrum iodium 

 rubrum exerts an almost specific action upon the fungus. 



There are, however, cases when these drugs appear only 

 to check or keep the disease in abeyance pro tern., and as 

 soon as they are left off the disease renews its vigour. It 

 is in cases such as these that vaccine-therapy might do 

 good, but on this point we possess no knowledge. 



A limited number of cases have, however, been treated 

 in man with fairly good results. 



