432 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



yet definitely settled, although many excellent observers have occu- 

 pied themselves with it. According to earlier observers it is a true 

 fungus. Later ones are inclined to place it among the higher bac- 

 teria. Further investigations will be necessary to clear up this 

 subject. 



Whatever be the situation of the disease caused by actinomyces, 

 its nature is fundamentally the same and peculiar to the fungus. 

 The pathological details which make this statement clear can not be 

 entered upon in this place, nor would they be of any practical value 

 to the farmer. We will simply dwell upon a few obvious characters. 



The consistency of the tumor varies in different situations accord- 

 ing to the quantity of fibrous or connective tissue present. When 

 very little of this is present the tumor is of a very soft consistency. 

 As the quantity of connective tissue is increased the tumor is firmer 

 and of a more honeycombed appearance. The individual actino- 

 myces colonies are lodged in the spaces or interstices formed by the 

 meshwork of the connective tissue. There they are surrounded by 

 a mantle of cellular elements which fill up the spaces. By scraping 

 the cut surface of such a tumor these cell masses inclosing the fungi 

 come away, and the latter may be seen as pale-yellow or sulphur- 

 yellow specks, as described above. 



Location of the disease. — In cattle the disease process may be located 

 both externally, where it is readily detected, and in internal organs. 

 Its preferred seat is on the bones of the lower and upper jaw, in the 

 parotid salivary gland in the angle of the jaw, and in the region of 

 the throat. It may also appear under the skin in different parts of 

 the body. Internally it may attack the tongue and appear in the 

 form of a tumor in the mouth, pharynx, and larynx. It may cause 

 extensive" disease of the lungs, more rarely of the digestive tract. 



It appears, furthermore, that in certain districts or countries the 

 disease seems to attack by preference certain parts. Thus in Eng- 

 land actinomycosis of the tongue is most prevalent. In Denmark the 

 soft parts of the head are most prone to disease, while in Russia the 

 lips are the usual seat. In certain parts of Germany actinomycotic 

 tumors of the throat (pharynx), in others disease of the jawbones, is 

 most frequently encountered. 



A description of actinomycosis of the jaw (lumpy jaw) and of the 

 tongue has already been given in a previous chapter, and hence they 

 will be dealt with here only very briefly. When the disease attacks 

 the soft parts of the head a rather firm swelling appears, in which are 

 formed one or more smaller projecting tumors, varying from the size 

 of a nut to that of an egg. These push their way outward and finally 

 break through the skin as small, reddish, fungus-like bodies covered 

 with thin sloughs. Or the original swelling, in place of enlarging in 

 the manner described, may become transformed into an abscess which 

 finally bursts to discharge creamy pus. The abscess cavity, however., 



