616 APPENDIX. 
STREPTOTHRIX ACTINOMYCES (Actinomyces Fungus ; 
Ray Fungus). 
This micro-organism was first described by Bollinger 
(1877) in the ox, in which it forms the affection known 
as ‘‘ big-jaw.’’ In man the disease was first described 
by J. Israel (1885), and subsequently Ponfick insisted 
upon the identity of the disease in man and cattle. To 
Bostrém we owe the most elaborate and accurate account 
of the structure and development of this organism. 
Morphology. In both man and animals it can be seen 
in the pus from the affected regions as small yellowish 
granules from 0.5 to 2 mm. in diameter. Microscopi- 
cally these bodies are seen to be made up of threads 
which radiate from a centre and present bulbous, club- 
like terminations. These club-like terminations are 
characteristic of the actinomyces. They are generally 
arranged in pairs, closely crowded together, and are very 
glistening in appearance. The threads which compose 
the central mass of the granules are from 0.3y to 0.5p 
in diameter; the clubs are from 6 to 8u in diameter. 
The organism is stained with the ordinary aniline 
colors, also by Gram’s solution; when stained with 
gentian-violet and by Gram’s method the threads ap- 
pear more distinct than when stained with methylene- 
blue. 
Biological Characters. It grows in all the ordinary 
artificial culture media, but often several cultures have 
to be made before getting a satisfactory one. It de- 
velops at the room-temperature, and grows both with 
and without oxygen, but best with access of air and at 
the temperature of the body. 
Growth on Blood-serum and Agar. Isolated colonies 
at first develop on the surface of these media, but on 
