210 COMMON AILMENTS OF CATTLE 



an entrance for the ray fungus. When the disease affects 

 the tongue it is commonly known as " wooden tongue." Wounds 

 of the skin resulting from rubbing on stanchions and feed 

 boxes may be a source of infection in some instances. Infection 

 by way of air passages is not of common occurrence. 



Location of the Disease. — The disease may be located both 

 externally and internally. The fungus may invade and produce 

 the disease in any tissue. It is most often found affecting the 

 soft tissues and bones of the lower and upper jaw. Internally 

 it may attack the tongue, pharynx, or larynx. It may also affect 

 the lungs and more rarely the digestive tract; occasionally the 

 udder is attacked. It is usually localized, and rarely if ever 

 becomes generalized. When affecting the soft tissue of the head 

 the disease produces rather hard, firm swellings (abscesses) 

 (Fig. 72), which vary in size, surrounded by a thick dense cap- 

 sule. The abscesses tend to rupture finally and discharge a 

 thick creamy pus. The pus contains small yellow bodies, 

 which are commonly known as " sulphur granules." These 

 are the " ray fungi." After the abscess has ruptured, the cavity 

 does not disappear but is soon filled with fungus-like masses 

 which protrude outward through the opening. In some in- 

 stances the abscesses will appear in the form of a chain, extend- 

 ing along the jaw and upper portion of the neck. When the 

 abscesses form inside the throat, they seriously interfere with 

 swallowing and respiration. Actino-mycosis of the bone is of 

 common occurrence and must be regarded as one of the most 

 serious forms of the disease. The bone becomes disintegrated 

 and pockets or cavities are formed. As the diseased process 

 advances, there is new bone tissue formed, causing the bone to 

 become enlarged and have a honeycomb appearance. 



The disease of the tongue, " wooden tongue," is also a very 

 serious form of the disease, as it interferes with the movement 

 of this important organ of mastication. The course of the 

 disease is quite slow. Emaciation in the affected animal results 

 when mastication, rumination, or breathing is affected. The 

 tongue and the bones of the jaws may become so badly diseased 

 that death will result from starvation. 



Treatment. — When affected the soft structures of the lower 



