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ACTINOMYCOSIS OF THF UDDER. 
(C) ACTINOMYCOSIS OF THE UDDER. 
This disease occurs in cows and, much more frequently, in sows, but, 
owing to the peculiar mode of attack, is in the latter seldom diagnosed. 
Actinomycosis appears in two forms. In one, hard swellings develop, 
consisting of a fibrous exterior and a central abscess-cavity clothed with 
granulations; in the other, the little actinomyces growths are found 
distributed through firm but apparently normal gland tissue. Both forms 
appear in the animals mentioned. The last form, however, sometimes goes 
on to the formation in the diseased tract of extensive abscesses, contain¬ 
ing thin fluid pus and numerous masses of the actinomyces fungi. 
The cause is the presence of the above-mentioned fungi. Their exact 
mode of entry is unknown, but that they may grow if introduced into the 
milk duct has been shown by Johne, who experimentally injected cultures. 
The clinical appearances consist in slow enlargement of the udder, 
which shows either discrete hard swellings or a diffuse, hard, slightly 
nodulated enlargement. Sometimes the abscesses break externally and 
are succeeded by fungating masses of granulation tissue, or by fistulse, 
or, again, by cicatricial depressions on the surface of the gland. 
Diagnosis is at first difficult. The disease is distinguished from tuber¬ 
culosis by the normal condition of the supramammary lymphatic glands. 
The recognition of the specific fungi confirms the diagnosis. 
The prognosis is unfavourable to the continuance of the milk supply, 
as the gland gradually undergoes atrophy. Sucking pigs sometimes die 
in consequence of the sow being unable to supply proper nourishment. 
Treatment is often uncalled for, as the disease makes slow progress 
and the animals can be fattened. The use of potassium iodide in 
mammary actinomycosis has not yet been properly tested. As a rule, 
it is preferable to prepare animals for slaughter. 
(d) bothryomycosis of the udder. 
Bothryomycosis is commonest in the mare, though it has also been 
seen in cows. The udder becomes converted into an indurated mass of 
connective tissue strewn with hard “ tubercles ” containing pus, in which 
are found the bothryomyces. 
Clinically the disease appears as a chronic, gradually-extending, pain¬ 
less swelling of the udder, which becomes hard and knotted, and from 
time to time is the seat of circumscribed acute inflammatory swellings. 
These break and discharge pus containing the specific fungi. The 
wounds may heal, or may be succeeded by sinuses, but the udder steadily 
increases in size. Gradually the process may extend to neighbouring 
structures producing like changes. 
Diagnosis is easy, provided the pus be microscopically examined. 
