CHAPTER XXX. 



ACTINOMYCOSIS. — MADUEA DISEASE. 



Actinomycosis. 



Actinomycosis belongs to the class of infective granulomata. It is 

 a chronic inflammatory affection characterised by the presence of a 

 special microphyte, which by irritation produces a neoplasm, composed 

 of round cells, epithelioid cells, giant cells, and fibrous tissue. These 

 neoplasms form nodular tumours of various sizes. In some cases 

 there is a tendency to develop very large tumours, and in others to 

 break down early and suppurate. In cattle, cretification takes 

 place in the fungus tufts. Actinomycosis closely resembles tuber- 

 culosis in its histological characters. The disease attacks man, 

 horses, cattle, and pigs. 



Many interesting observations have been made upon the origin 

 of this disease in man. Two cases have been recorded in support of 

 the theory of direct infection from the cow. Stelzner described a 

 case of actinomycosis in a man who had had the care of animals, 

 some of which had suppurating glands. Hacker had a case of 

 actinomycosis of the tongue in a man who had charge of cows, one 

 of which had a tumour of the jaw which he had opened. On the 

 other hand, Moosbrugger found that out of 75 cases, 54 were in men, 

 and 21 in women, including 2 children. In 11 of these men the 

 occupation was not stated. In 33 their occupation did not bring 

 them into contact with diseased animals ; they were, for example, 

 millers, glazier's, tailors, shop people, and students. Only 10 cases 

 occurred among farmers, peasants, and farm -labourers, and in only 

 one case out of the 10, had the patient been brought into contact 

 with diseased animals. 



Out of the 21 women, there were only 4 peasants, and none 

 of them had been associated with diseased cattle. 



Infection by the flesh of diseased animals has also been dis- 

 cussed. But there is no evidence of prevalence of the disease 



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