664 Actinomycosis. 



Treatment. The quickest and most certain results are 

 obtained by the total extirpation of the actinomycotic tumor, 

 but such treatment is to be considered only when the tumor is 

 sharply circumscribed and surrounded by healthy tissue, thus 

 permitting easy removal (pedunculated actinomycomata of the 

 pharynx may be removed through an opening in the subparo- 

 tideal region [Harms, Mayer]). Very large cutaneous tumors 

 are treated most satisfactorily by deep incisions followed by 

 thorough curetting and the application of gauze or tow dipped 

 in tincture of iodine. A very practical method and one which 

 frequently proves successful, consists in inserting a trocar and 

 canula into the apex of the tumor, permitting the purulent con- 

 tents to escape after withdrawal of the trocar, irrigating the 

 abscess cavity with water and then inserting with the aid of 

 forceps a lump of arsenious acid 1 to 2 g. in weight. This is 

 followed by necrosis of the tumor mass, whereupon sequestra- 

 tion from the surrounding tissues and recovery follows (Heine, 

 Kovanyi). Actinomycosis of the tongue, if not too advanced, 

 frequently terminates in recovery after simple scarification and 

 application of tincture of iodine or iodovasogen (10%). 



Moussu has succeeded in bringing about recovery in actinomycosis of the jaw 

 by removal of the superficial tumor, curetting the interosseous tissue and internal 

 iodine treatment. 



In cases wliere these methods are impracticable or im- 

 possible, parenchymal injections of antiseptic remedies fre- 

 quently produce good results. Tincture of iodine, Lugol's solu- 

 tion (10 to 15 gm.) and iodovasogen (8 to 12 gm. of a 10% 

 solution) are well adapted for this purpose. External applica- 

 tions of caustics, e. g., ung. arsen. (1 : 8) or cantharides oint- 

 ment with iodide of mercury (8 : 1) are also recommended. 

 After suppuration has resulted in breaking down of the tumor 

 mass, the latter should be incised and the abscess thoroughly 

 irrigated. 



The internal iodine treatment, recommended in 1885 by 

 Thomassen on the basis of results obtained from 80 cases 

 treated by this method, is very effective (a special commission 

 investigated the merits of this treatment in the United States 

 and reported 131 complete cures among 185 cases treated). The 

 treatment is recommended particularly in such cases when sur- 

 gical treatment is for some reason impossible and when the 

 affected animals are still in good physical condition. Affection 

 of the tongue or larynx, as well as of the skin and subcutis, is 

 very responsive to this treatment, while actinomycosis of the 

 bones is much less so. 



The treatment consists in the internal administration of potassium 

 iodide, "young cattle receiving 2 to 4 gm., adult cattle 5 to 10 gm. daily 

 in their drinking water. The treatment is continued from 2 to 4 weeks 

 or until the complete disappearance of the tumor and ulcers. In 

 case symptoms of iodism (nasal and conjunctival catarrh, cutaneous 



