PREVENTION, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT g 



They may be removed by a needle and examined under the micro- 

 scope. The sulphur grains consist of threads and coccoid bodies 

 and show a radiate arrangement when squeezed under a cover 

 glass. The older forms are more yellow and are clubbed. The 

 threads divide and branch. The fungus stains well by the usual 

 stains and Gram's method. 



There may be involvement of various parts of the body more 

 rarely, as the lungs (in which various forms may be met, as 

 pneumonia, softening and abscess) ; brain; liver; spleen; muscular 

 tissue ; scrotum; udder ; vagina ; spermatic cord of recently castrated 

 animals; and skin. 



Usually, unless the internal organs are affected, the local 

 growth about the head distresses and injures the patient by inter- 

 fering with chewing, swallowing and breathing. In the jaws, the 

 disease interferes with their motion and causes destruction of the 

 teeth ; in the soft parts about the mouth the tumor projects into that 

 cavity; in the tongue, deglutition is impeded; and in the pharynx 

 tumors may obstruct breathing. The disease is but rarely self- 

 limited through calcification or encysting of the fungus growth. 



Prevention. — Until our knowledge is more specific as to the 

 actual presence of the fungi on any particular foodstuff it is impos- 

 sible to prevent the inoculation of animals from such. While the 

 disease is not directly transmitted from the diseased to the well, 

 it is not wise that diseased animals should be permitted to go about 

 and spread broadcast the fungi in discharges from the growths. 



As actinomycosis is also communicated to man by straw, 

 grasses and grains, the holding of such in the mouth is most cer- 

 tainly to be avoided. 



Treatment. — Surgical extirpation is most successful in curing 

 the disease, but this is not often possible owing to the seat of the 

 trouble and for reasons of economy. The curettement of fistulse 

 and accessible foci and packing with iodoform gauze is also reme- 

 dial. The most generally applicable treatment is that by potassium 



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