LEECHES 299 
intensely, which is not commonly the case in the ordinary vacuolated 
cells. 
The connective-tissue cells surrounding the nodule show marked 
signs of degeneration, their cytoplasm in most cases being extremely 
vacuolated. Among these connective-tissue cells, which for the most 
part are quite branching and elongated, is another class of cells which 
are in general of an oval or elliptical form. The noteworthy appear- 
ance of these cells is the presence of numerous dots in the cytoplasm 
which take the methylene blue and toluidin blue stains very deeply. 
The appearance is, indeed, very much as if the cells were filled with 
micrococci. These are the granule cells of Waldeyer, or still further 
differentiated as the plasma cells, in contradistinction to the “mastzel- 
len” or “food cells,’ which indicate an exalted degree of nutrition. 
The nucleus of the plasma cell takes the stain very slightly, or not at 
all, and is almost entirely obscured by the numerous “granules”’ in 
the cytoplasm. These cells are well differentiated by the toluidin 
blue stain, as they take a deep purple color, while the surrounding cells 
are blue. 
Bitting has figured the jaw bone of a horse quite extensively affected 
with this disease. He believes that the lesions about the mouth 
result from the animal biting the affected areas on the body. 
Neyrick reports finding the inflammatory growths in the lungs of an 
affected subject, and Burke has reported them in the liver. There are 
no other lesions described in the internal organs although Neal writes 
that any tissue may be invaded. 
Diagnosis. The diagnosis is made by the lesions and the finding 
of the fungus in the tissues. 
Treatment. On the ground that the fungus supposed to be the 
cause of this disease may be closely related to the cause of actinomy- 
cosis, the use of iodide of potassium has been recommended. It is 
reported to be fairly successful. The efficiency of this drug as a 
specific needs further confirmation. 
REFERENCES 
1. Brrrinc. Leeches or leeching. Bulletin No. 25, Florida Agricultural Experi- 
ment Station, 1894. 
2. Fisn. A histological investigation of two cases of an equine mycosis, with a 
historical account of a supposed similar disease called bursattee occurring in India. 
Annual Report, Bureau of Animal Industry, U. 8. Dept. of Agriculture, 1895-6, p. 229. 
(This report contains a bibliography on Bursattee.) 
3. Neay. “Leeching” of horses and cattle. Annual Report, Bureau of Animal 
Industry, U. 8. Dept. of Agriculture, 1887-8, p. 489. 
4. Roapuouss. Observations on bursatti. Amer. Vet. Review, Vol. XX XVIII 
(1910-11), p. 376. 
