84 SPECIAL VETERINARY THERAPY 



off the infection and not to the direct action of the 

 botryomyces. 



Another obstacle to surgical removal of these tum- 

 ors lies in the fact that just as often as not, they are 

 located in and involve parts of the anatomy where ex- 

 tensive dissection is out of the question. For these 

 reasons surgical removal is not practical, although, 

 theoretically, it may be the ideal procedure. 



A discussion of the various medical and chemical 

 agents which have been resorted to in the treatment of 

 this condition would make an endless volume and 

 would lead to no satisfaction. 



There is a fine field for research in this disease and 

 a good, reliable treatment is yet to be worked out. A 

 better understanding of the condition from a stand- 

 point of pathology and bacteriology is essential. 



In 1907, Dr. Frank Thatcher, then city bacteriolo- 

 gist of El Paso, Texas, isolated a foreign bacillus from 

 lesions of botryomycosis. The bacillus was anaerobic 

 and resembled tubercle bacilli morphologically. A 

 bacterin was made and used with some success, after 

 which the investigations were dropped. 



The best results in my cases were obtained with a 

 "cancer-paste" which is quite generally used by veter- 

 inarians in the south. The active principle in this 

 paste is cobalt and it is usually made as follows : 



Pulverized Sanguinaria 3 ij 



Zinc Chloride 5 ss 



Powdered Cobalt 3 i 



This is made into a paste with water, requiring 

 much grinding in a mortar before it becomes smooth. 



