92 PRACTICE OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



Give the morbid anatomy. 



The spleen, liver and lymphatics are enlarged, the lungs eon- 

 tain ecchymotic spots, the heart muscle is soft and flabby. The 

 thoracic and abdominal cavities contain a serofibrinous exudation. 

 The muscles are pale and atrophied in the posterior extremities 

 with hemorrhagic spots in some of these muscles. The muscular 

 tissues are infiltrated with a serogelatinous material. 



How is the diagnosis made? 



Fever which is intermittent ; emaciation, anaemia, paralysis of 

 the posterior extremity and the finding of the parasite. 



What is the treatment? 



There is no treatment known to be of any value. 



ACTINOMYCOSIS. 



What are the synonyms? 



Big jaw ; lumpy jaw ; commonly called by some " wolf in the 

 jaw " ; wooden tongue. 



Define actinomycosis. 



This is a chronic infective disorder, produced by the actino- 

 myces, or ray fungus, characterized by local inflammation with the 

 formation of neoplasms containing the microbe. 



What is the aetiology? 



This disease was first described by Bollinger, in 1887, when 

 the proper nature of the disease was described in the ox, in which 

 animal it most commonly occurs, being rare in the horse. This 

 disease occurs in cattle, pigs, horses, and is seen in the human 

 subject. 



It is caused by a parasite that usually gains entrance with the 

 food or drink, lodges on the mucous membrane of the buccal cavity, 

 especially if abrasions exist. 



What is the morbid anatomy? 



In the early stages of its growth the parasite gives rise to small 

 granulation tumors, not unlike those produced in tuberculosis; 

 as they increase in size, proliferation of the surrounding connective 

 tissue is extensive; soon suppuration takes place. 



