294 LEECHES 
In this country the disease has not attracted very much attention, 
nor has it been considered of much economic importance. An 
explanation for this may be offered on account of its seemingly non- 
contagious character and because it has been thought to be confined 
to comparatively limited areas, and because the animals, although 
infected, may be utilized for some purposes. On account of the 
chronic course of the disease the affected animals are often killed 
from a sentiment of mercy before the disease can terminate fatally. 
Although this affection presents many points of similarity to the 
one found in India, the question of their identity ought to be held 
in abeyance until a more thorough investigation can be made. 
Dawson, of the Florida Experiment Station, states ‘“‘that ‘leeches’ 
or bursattee is a common disease in Florida, which manifests itself 
in the formation of tumor-growths which have some of the characters 
of actinomycotic tumors. Its structure is fibrous, and contains 
many sinuses, which discharge a bloody, ‘honey-like’ fluid. It is a 
fatal, infectious disease, which has its origin in the skin and finally 
penetrates all the tissues. Here and there in the tumor tissue yellow 
bodies with root-like projections may be found. These bodies are 
called ‘leeches’ by the natives. They consist of the mycelia of the 
fungus which causes the disease. The only remedy is the complete 
removal of the tumor and adjacent tissue at once. In Florida the 
disease affects only the genus equinus.” 
In 1896, some of the diseased tissues from cases of this affection in 
Florida, were sent to the Bureau of Animal Industry for investigation. 
They were studied by Fish who made an extended report on the re- 
sults of his findings. He also gave a very complete review of the 
literature. 
Hodgson, in 1853, referred to the sores as cancerous ulcers and Hart, 
in 1872, was strongly inclined to pronounce it cancer, although he 
could not confirm this view structurally by microscopic examination 
of the tissue. It seems to be generally accepted that the disease is 
peculiar to the Tropics, but cases have been reported in Kansas 
and Minnesota in the United States, not only during the summer 
months, but when the thermometer registered below zero. 
In India, native as well as foreign bred horses are susceptible, 
but according to some writers, none of the other equine species is 
affected. 
In the United States mules and cattle are said to develop it, but 
not so readily as the horse. Outbreaks among cattle are compara- 
