436 DISEASES OE CATTLE. 



f 



tions are more prone to the disease. It has also been observed that 

 food gathered from such grounds may give rise to the disease even 

 after prolonged drying. Actinomycosis is not infrequent in south- 

 western cattle and is generally supposed to be the result of eating 

 the prickly fruit of the cactus plant, causing wounds of the mucous 

 membrane and subsequent infection with the parasite. Much addi- 

 tional information of a similar kind must be forthcoming before the 

 source and manner of infection in this disease and its dependence 

 upon external conditions will be known. It is not at all improbable 

 that these may vary considerably from place to place. 



Treatment. — This has been until recently almost entirely surgical. 

 When the tumors are external and attached to soft parts only, an 

 early removal may lead to recovery. This, of course, can only be 

 undertaken by a trained veterinarian, especially as the various parts 

 of the head and neck contain important vessels, nerves, and ducts 

 which should be injured as little as possible in any operation. Unless 

 the tumor is completely removed it will reappear. Disease of the 

 jawbones is at best a very serious matter, and treatment is likely to 

 be of no avail. 



In March, 1892, an important contribution to our knowledge of this 

 subject was made by M. Nocard, of the Alfort Veterinary School, in a 

 communication to the French Central Society of Veterinary Medicine. 

 He showed clearly that the actinomycosis of the tongue, a disease 

 which appears to be quite common in Germany, and is there known 

 as "wooden tongue," could be quickly and permanently cured by the 

 administration of iodid of potassium. M. Nocard calls attention to 

 the success of M. Thomassen, of Utrecht, who recommended this treat- 

 ment as long ago as 1885, and who has since treated more than 80 cases, 

 all of which have been cured. A French veterinarian, M. Godbille, 

 has treated a number of cases of actinomycosis in the tongue with the 

 same remedy, all of which have been cured. M. Nocard also gives 

 details of a case which was cured by himself. 



All of the cases referred to were of actinomycosis of the tongue, and 

 no one appears to have attempted the cure of actinomycosis of the 

 jaw until this was undertaken by Doctor Norgaard, of the Bureau of 

 Animal Industry. He selected a young steer in April, 1892, in fair 

 condition, which had a tumor on the jaw measuring 15£ inches in cir- 

 cumference and from which a, discharge had already been established. 

 This animal was treated with iodid of potassium, and the result was 

 a complete cure. 



The iodid of potassium is given in doses of 1£ to 2£ drams once 

 a day, dissolved in water, and administered as a drench. 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 

 scurfy, there is weeping from the eyes, catarrh of the nose, and loss of 



