658 



Actinomycosis. 



temporary. The general nutrition of tlie animal may be in- 

 terfered with as a result of the soft pathological tissues in 

 which the teeth are now imbedded. In some cases tissue masses 

 project through the external bony plate of the maxilla and 

 may there be palpated under the sTiin as lobulated ulcers. In 

 other cases the skin may be ulcerated at one or more points, 

 resulting in the formation of a purulent secretion containing 

 actinomyces colonies and covering the surface of the cauliflower- 

 like mass of granulation tissue. The submaxillary lymph glands 

 may be enlarged, firm, slightly movable and eventually 

 ulcerated. 



In the skin or subcutaneous connective tissue (Figs. 107 

 and 108) there is usually a firm, elastic tumor posterior to 

 the angle of the jaw, below the ear, on the cheek or at the neck. 

 This firmly unites Avitli the overlying skin, which it usually 



Fig. 105. Actinomycosis of the Upjier Jaw. 



perforates, and discharges a thick creamy pus or pus-like mass 

 containing tissue detritus and coagxilatecl pus elements. In 

 other cases the cavity thus formed becomes filled with granula- 

 tioji tissue which may project l)eyond the surface of the skin 

 in the form of a cauliflower-like tumor, the surface of which 

 is covered witJi crust. Upon removal of the scab the surface 

 is bright red, the slightest contact causing bleeding. Numerous 

 minute yellowish points from which small drops of pus may 

 lie pressed out may also be observed. In some cases pus foci 



