268 ACTINOMYCOSIS 
In cattle, actinomycosis is to be differentiated from tuberculosis, 
especially of the lungs, glands of the throat, head and of the udder 
and from various forms of glossitis, polypoid growths in the pharynx, 
fibroma, sarcoma and osteosarcoma of the jaw, parotitis and cellulitis. 
Occasionally bacterial infection of the maxillary glands gives rise to 
the formation of tissue which becomes caseous, and causes swelling 
and firmness of the part suggestive of actinomycotic tumors. Foreign 
bodies may be wedged in beside the jaw causing an appearance sug- 
gestive of actinomycosis.* 
In making a positive diagnosis of actinomycosis it is necessary to 
make a microscopic examination of some of the diseased tissue or of 
the discharged pus in which the “rosettes” may be found if the 
disease is actinomycosis. It is impossible to obtain this positive 
proof from the living animal when the lesion is situated in the inter- 
nal organs. 
Specific treatment. The investigations of Thomassen, Nocard, 
Norgaard and the experience of a large number of veterinarians have 
shown the specific, curative effect of iodide of potassium. According 
to Salmon, iodide of potassium is given in doses of from 1.5 to 2.5 
drams dissolved in water and administered in a drench, once a day. 
The dose should vary somewhat with the size of the animal and with 
the effects that are produced. If the dose is sufficiently large there 
appear signs of iodism in the course of a week or ten days. The skin 
becomes scurvy, and the eyes moistened. There is nasal catarrh and 
loss of appetite. When these symptoms appear the medicine may be 
suspended for a few days and afterwards resumed in the same dose. 
The cure requires from three to six weeks’ treatment. Some animals 
do not improve with the administration of this drug and these are 
generally the ones which show no signs of iodism. 
If there is no sign of improvement after the animals have been 
treated four or five weeks and the medicine has been given in as large 
doses as appear desirable, it is an indication that the particular 
animal is not susceptible to the curative effects of the drug and the 
treatment should be abandoned. 
It is not, however, advisable to administer iodide of potassium to 
milch cows, as it will considerably reduce the milk secretion or stop 
*In one instance a specimen reported to be actinomycosis was sent to our laboratory 
for examination. It was found to contain a piece of bone about three inches long 
which had become wedged between the teeth and cheek and surrounded by inflam- 
matory tissues. 
