410 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



These are the bodies whose presence causes sufficient irritation in 

 the tissues into which they find their way to set up inflammatory 

 growths. These growths increase as the fungus continues to multiply 

 until they reach enormous dimensions, if the affected animal is per- 

 mitted to live long enough. The true nature of this parasite is not yet 

 definitely settled, although many excellent observers have occupied 

 themselves with it. According to earlier observers it is a true fungus. 

 Later ones are inclined to place it among the higher bacteria. Further 

 investigations will be necessary to clear up this subject. Whatever 

 be the situation of the disease caused by actinomyces, its nature is 

 fundamentally the same and peculiar to the fungus. The pathological 

 details which make this statement clear can not be entered upon in 

 this place, nor would they be of any practical value to the farmer. 

 We will simply dwell upon a few obvious characters. 



The consistency of the tumor varies in different situations according 

 to the quantity of fibrous or connective tissue present. When very 

 little of this is present the tumor is of a very soft consistency. As the 

 quantity of connective tissue is increased the tumor is firmer and of a 

 more honeycombed appearance. The individual actiuoinyces colonies 

 are lodged in the spaces or interstices formed by the mesh work of the 

 connective tissue. There they are surrounded by a mantle of cellular 

 elements which fill up the spaces. By scraping the cut surface of such 

 a tumor these cell masses inclosing the fungi come away, and the latter 

 may be seen as pale or sulphur-yellow specks, as described above. 



Location of the disease. In cattle the disease process may be located 

 both externally, where it is readily detected, and in internal organs. Its 

 preferred seat is on the bones of the lower and upper jaw, in the pa- 

 rotid salivary gland in the angle of the jaw, and in the region of the 

 throat. It may also appear under the skin in different parts of the 

 body. Internally it may attack the tongue and appear in the form of a 

 tumor in the mouth, pharynx, and larynx. It may cause extensive 

 disease of the lungs, more rarely of the digestive tract. 



It appears, furthermore, that in certain districts or countries the dis- 

 ease seems to attack by preference certain parts. Thus in England 

 actinoinycosis of the tongue is most prevalent. In Denmark the soft 

 parts of the head are most prone to disease. In certain parts of Ger- 

 many actinomycotic tumors of the throat (pharynx), in others disease 

 of the jawbones is most frequently encountered. 



A description of actinoinycosis of the jaw (lump-jaw) and of the 

 tongue has already been given by Dr. Murray, and hence they will 

 be dealt with here only very briefly. When the disease attacks the 

 soft parts of the head a rather firm swelling appears in which are 

 formed one or more smaller projecting tumors varying from the size 

 of a nut to that of an egg. These push their way outward and finally 

 break through the skin as small, reddish, fungus-like bodies covered 

 with thin sloughs. Or the original swelling, in place of enlarging in 



