PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 513 



iodine treatment. Experience seems to have demonstrated 

 that lesions of the soft tissues yield rather readily to treat- 

 ment with the iodide of potassium. This medicament is ad- 

 ministered internally at the rate of eight to fifteen grams 

 (two to four drams) per day for some days. There is nothing 

 to fear from symptoms of iodine intoxication, except when 

 the animals become indisposed and cease to eat. In these cas- 

 es the treatment is discontinued for five to six days, and then 

 resumed when the symptoms of iodism disappear. When 

 the tongue is tumefied to the extent of preventing degluti- 

 tion, the medicament is administered per rectum, dissolved in 

 half a liter of water. 



(b) Maxillary Actinomycosis. — For maxillary actinomy- 

 cosis the most favorable results are obtained from the con- 

 tinued use of the iodine treatment and surgical intervention. 

 It is indispensable, however, to anticipate a successful re- 

 sult, that the tumor should have well defined limits, and not 

 involve the important vessels and ducts of the region. 



The operation consists, first, of the excision of the exu- 

 berant actinomycoma, and, secondly, the curettage of the 

 maxillary bone. By using internal treatment with iodine 

 bases, succeeding this intervention, a cure may be obtained 

 in four to six weeks that could not have been hoped for by 

 any other form of treatment. Imminger considers that the 

 extraction of the molar teeth implanted in the affected point 

 is necessary. The extraction should be made with care not 

 to disturb the neighboring teeth. After the teeth are ex- 

 tracted, the tumor is incised at the most prominent point 

 to effect an opening for curettage and admission of the iodine 

 dressings. 



Although these different methods of treatment may be 

 the only logical ones, they must not be considered as abso- 

 lutely effective. There are many cases in which they will 

 only effect a brief amelioration. 



(c) Cutaneous Actinomycosis. — For therapeutic purposes 



