ACTINOMYCOSIS. 389 
connective tissues adjacent to them become dense and hardened; abscesses 
also form, and the pus therein contains yellow granules. 
Evidently infection generally takes place through the mouth, teeth or 
throat; and much less often it appears to occur through the air-passages 
or the skin. The vehicle for the specific poison may be the food or drink ; 
and one scientist, after studying a large number of cases, has reached the con- 
clusion that in cattle the poison enters the system by means of the infected 
grains of some cereal. Infection through the mucous membrane or skin is not 
possible while the same is normal, and only when it is broken or wounded. 
As a rule there is first some difficulty in opening the jaw, and likely in swal- 
lowing ; while now and then the patient seems to suffer as he would from an 
aching tooth. 
A swelling appears at the angle of the jaw. This is soon converted into 
an abscess; which usually first opens externally, and after a time another 
opening occurs, but that is into the mouth. In the pus discharged there are 
the little yellow granules previously mentioned. 
Unless proper treatment be promptly applied, the inflammatory process 
extends downward — while the pus burrows in the same direction — and the 
structures of the neck become diseased. If still neglected, the chest, and even 
the abdomen, also the organs within them, are quite sure to be similarly 
affected. 
While it generally starts at the angle of the lower jaw, it may first appear 
on the upper jaw; in which event it is liable to extend upward and involve the 
coverings of the brain or the brain itself, together with the upper bones of the 
spine. 
A diagnosis is not possible without the aid of a microscope, although the 
disease has some peculiarities that are suggestive, as the thickening or wooden- 
like hardness of the tissues adjacent to the parts diseased, and the yellow 
granules in the pus. 
The course of the affection is slow and tedious. 
The essentials in the way of treatment are, prompt opening of the abscesses, 
the incisions being of generous length, and a free use of an agent that is 
destructive to fungus-growths. Some professionals, after opening, cauterize 
the walls of the cavities made by the abscesses, with the nitrate of silver. 
With the permanganate of potassium, however, the best results have been 
attained. Under its use the swelling has rapidly subsided and the disease 
disappeared. As for internal treatment, the iodide of potassium in very large 
doses recommends itself. 
If the primary abscess has been opened with the knife the chances are that 
a cure will be speedily effected provided the dog is fairly strong and healthy ; 
but if it has been allowed to open spontaneously, recovery is not likely to be 
complete for several months. 
