434 APPLICATION OF METHODS OF BACTERIOLOGY 



new f ormatiort of connective tissue, abscesses, cavities, and 

 sinuses. Viewed as a whole, the tumor presents points of 

 resemblance to the osteo-sarcomatous, to the scrofulous or 

 tuberculous, and to the cancerous processes. The disease 

 occasionally occurs in man, and according to the point of 

 entrance of the parasite may arise in the mouth, the pharynx, 

 the lungs, the intestines, or the skin. In animals the disease 

 is characterized by an excessive new formation of connective 

 tissue, so that tumefaction is always a conspicuous pecu- 

 liarity. In man, on the other hand, suppuration is the most 



prominent feature. 



Fig. 79 



Actinomycosis fungus in pus. Fresh, unstained preparation. Magnified 

 about 500 diameters. 



If the purulent discharge from an actinomycotic tumor 

 be examined fresh, it will be found to contain tiny yellow 

 (sulphur color as a rule) clumps. If these be examined, 

 unstained, in a drop of physiological salt solution or water 

 under the microscope, they will be found to be made up of 

 a rosette-like mass of closely interwoven threads. (See 

 Fig. 77.) At the centre the mass may show the presence of 

 spherical, coccus-like bodies or granules, while at the per- 

 iphery the free ends of the threads are more or less distinctly 



