ACTINOMYCOSIS 



Actinomycosis is a disease which attacks both men 

 and cattle, producing tumours of a chronic inflam- 

 matory character, terminating in suppuration, and 

 producing discharging abscesses of an extremely 

 intractable character. 



In the pus from these abscesses may be observed 

 small granules of a yellowish colour, looking like 

 portions of inspissated pus. These vary in size, 

 attaining that of a pin's head ; and when crushed 

 beneath a cover glass are often felt to be slightly 

 gritty. The colour varies from the usual yellow, 

 and is sometimes greenish, brownish, or black. 

 They were noticed by Lebert, and described by 

 Robin in 1871. These granules are composed of 

 the organism which is the cause of the disease. 

 Their appearance under the microscope differs very 

 widely in different cases, and this is often, but not 

 always, dependent upon the source from which the 

 pus is derived, whether Human or Bovine Actino- 



