256 - SPECIFIC MICRO-ORGANISMS 



The disease shows little or no tendency to be transmitted from 

 animal to animal in a herd. Several varieties of actinomyces 

 have been described, and possibly more than one species will 

 eventually be recognized. 



Streptothrix Madurae.^ — Kanthack (1^92) and Qemy and 

 Vincent (1892) discovered the fine mycelial threads in pus from 

 cases of Madura foot. Granules about the size of a pin-head occur 

 in the pus, and under the microscope these are found to consist of 

 a network of threads i to 1.5/4 in thickness, arranged radially 

 at the periphery and presenting somewhat swollen ends. These 

 granules are white in some cases, yellow, red and black in others. 

 The nature of the disease seems to be the same in all cases, but 

 the micro-organisms are apparently not the same, that found in 

 the black variety probably representing a distinct species. Cul- 

 tures may be obtained by inoculating the pus, collected without 

 contamination, into several flasks of sterilized hay infusion, and 

 shaking daily to insure abundant oxygen supply. It also grows 

 upon other m.edia. Gelatin is not liquefied. The growth is made 

 up of interwoven, slender branching threads about i At in thickness. 

 Spores (conidia) capable of resisting a temperature of 75° C. for 

 five minutes are produced at the surface of the culture. Inocu- 

 lation of animals usually gives negative results, but Musgrave 

 and Klegg^ have succeeded in infecting monkeys. 



The disease. Mycetoma or Madura foot, is a localized, chronic 

 inflammation, almost painless, and usually involving the foot, 

 the hand or some exposed portion of the body. The disease 

 involves the tissues by direct extension, attacking the bones as well 

 as the soft tissues. It usually remains localized to one extremity. 



The black variety of Madura foot is due to a different organ- 

 ism, the threads of which are 3 to 8ju in thickness.^ This organ- 

 ism seems to be an aspergillus, and has been named Madurella 

 mycetori. 



^Philippine Journ. of Science, 1907, Vol. II, pp. 477-512; A complete bibli- 

 ography by Polk is included. 



^ Wright: Journ. 0} Exp. Medicine, Vol. Ill, pp. 421-433. 



