212 ACTINOMYCOSIS 



tlie subcutaneous connective tissue and the skin or to the oral 

 cavity in the direction of the molar teeth which become dis- 

 placed. (2) In the tongue. When the disease appears in this 

 organ it takes the form of an indurating glossitis. The tongue 

 becomes thicklj' sprinkled with round or oval, hard, fibrous 

 nodules which finally become purulent or chalky at the center. 

 Around these there is a considerable increase of connective 

 tissue which leads to the atrophy of the mu.scle fibers. Upon 

 section the tongue is found to be hard and often gritty. The 

 indurated tongue is often eroded from friction and \-arious 



Fig. 47. Acfinoniycosis of the jaiv. (Photographed l:>y Hopl^ins.) 



deformities of this organ are reported. (3) In the pharynx 

 the disease usually takes the form of soft polypoid or fungoid 

 nodules or lumps with a smooth surface and short peduncle. 

 These nodules vary in size often reaching that of a goose's 

 ^^g. These polypoid growths may cause great difhculty in 

 swallowing and likewise interfere with respiration. Tumors 

 of this kind may form in the oesophagus or trachea. Rarely 

 actinomycotic growths occur at other places in the alimentary 

 tract. There are some cases in which the lesions are 



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