CHAPTER XXXVI 

 ACTINOMYCOSIS 



Actinomyces Bovis (Bollinger) 



Synonyms. — Discomyces bovis: Streptothrixactinomyces: Streptothrix Israeli: 

 Nocardia actinomyces: Oospora .bovis: Nocardia bovis: Cladothrix actinomyces: 

 Bacterium actinocladotbrix. 



General Characteristics. — A parasitic, anaerobic, non-motile, non-flagellate, 

 non-sporogenous (?), branched micro-organism, belonging to the higher bacteria, 

 staining by ordinary methods and by Gram's method, and pathogenic for 

 man and the lower animals. 



Actinomycosis is a specific, infectious, granulomatous disease of 

 man and the lower animals, characterized by a chronic course, and 

 by lesions that are partly purulent and partly productive. 



The disease is fairly common among cattle, sheep and hogs, rare 

 in deer, horses, dogs and cats. One case has been observed in an 

 elephant. The disease is comparatively rare among men. 



Fig. 305. — Bovine actinomycosis. 



On account of its common occurrence about the face and mandibles, 

 it has long been known as "lumpy jaw" and "big head." or "swelled 

 head." When it affects the tongue and interior of the mouth, it is 

 frequently spoken of as "wooden tongue" or "Holzzunge." 



The peculiar micro-organism by which it is caused was carefully 

 studied by a German botanist named Harz* and called by him 

 actinomyces, from the Greek, aKtis, a star and fiVKas a fungus. 

 From this botanical name the disease has become known as Actino- 

 mycosis. The French modify the technical name slightly— actino- 

 mycose, and the Germans translate it "Strahlenpitzkrankheit." 



Though the disease has long been known to agriculturists and 

 drovers it has only attracted the attention of the medical profession 



* " Jahresberichte der kaiserlichen Central-Tierarzneischule in Miinchen," 

 1877-1878, p. 125. 



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