190 
EXTRACTS FROM FOREIGN JOURNALS. 
several places sacciform dilatations. A similar disposition existed 
upon all the arteries rising from the anterior aorta, as well as in 
the dorsal branches of the intercostals. On a level with the tenth 
dorsal vertebra there was an artery as large as a finger. 
Taking into consideration the various lesions observed, the 
author believes that all the alterations originated from the lesions 
of the posterior aorta. The retracted portion of the vessel prob¬ 
ably corresponded with an aneurism which was cured by slow and 
progressive obliterations; the diminution of permeability, and 
afterward the complete obliteration of the aorta, had given rise to 
a constantly increasing obstruction of the circulation; the arterial 
pressure had increased forwards, and had been followed by the 
hypertrophy of the left ventricle, as well as the dilatation of the 
vessels directly under its control, and consequently, the formation 
of a collateral circulation. This supplemental circulation by 
anastomotic breach may be of no great importance, where the 
obliterated vessel is small, but when the artery is such as the aorta 
itself, it becomes an exceptional phenomenon .—Annals de Bel¬ 
gique. 
ACTINOMYCOSIS OF THE SPERMATIC CORD OF THE HORSE. 
By M. Johne. 
As far back as 1819, Kivolta and hlicellone had observed the 
presence of a micromycete in the tumors of the spermatic cord 
of the horse. This parasite presented itself under the appearance 
of small granular masses, whose structure greatly resembled the 
radiated disposition of the bovine actinomycosis. Its constituting 
elements, however, were much simpler, consisting only of large 
granular cells, the threads and granulations in mass being absent. 
Tor this reason, Kivolta classified this parasite in a special gender 
which he named discomyces equi. 
Subsequently, Professor Johne, who ignored the observations 
of Pivolta, observed the presence of actinomycosis in several cases 
of the spermatic cord. He designated this form of the affection 
under the name of u chronic mycotic funiculitis , or actinomy- 
coticB 
Out of thirteen cases of funiculitis operated for by Siedam- 
grotzky and by Johne, four belonged to this category. 
