SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
673 
the tongue, the same alterations take place as in the ox. In 
actinomycosis of the neck the localizations present themselves 
as in the ox. 
Right here I would call your attention to the peculiar simi¬ 
larity between this disease and fistulous withers of the horse. 
Do we not find the same characteristics in the two diseases ? I 
say emphatically we do, and permit me to suggest a thought 
that when we find persistent and troublesome fistulous withers, 
think of actinomycotic lessons and medicate accordingly. In 
some cases of schirrus cord the presence of actinomyces have 
been found. 
Treatment .—When this disease was first discovered treat¬ 
ment was thought to be of no avail, but in 1885 Rasmussen 
ODserved that in man the iodide of potassium treatment clearly 
demonstrated a recovery. We are indebted to Nocard, for in 
1892 he communicated his researches and demonstrated the 
marvellous effects of the iodide treatment on woody tongue. In 
this country an official commission was charged to investigate 
the same subject Out of a total of 185 animals affected in the 
jaws and parotid regions 131 or 71 per cent, recovered. 53 ani¬ 
mals affected in a less degree completely recovered. 
After Treatment .—The treatment is administered by the 
digestive tract in doses of from 2 to 4 drams daily. It should 
be continued for about 12 or 15 days and then stopped for a 
short interval, when if the lesions still persist medication 
should be again commenced. Iodism is little to be feared. 
The lesions of the tongue are more easily cured than the 
osseous lesions. Of course when the lesions withstand all in¬ 
ternal remedies then surgical interference is necessary, com¬ 
bined with the internal treatment. Tincture of iodine exter¬ 
nally is beneficial in some cases. In the prophylaxis of actino¬ 
mycosis we ought to isolate as far as possible the diseased ani¬ 
mals from the well ones until recovery is possible. We ought 
to cover the wounds with some kind of covering to prevent the 
pus from falling on the grass or straw, and when cleansing 
wounds to burn or sterilize as far as is possible all that have 
come in contact with the wound. Statistics do not show that 
the disease has been transmitted from animal to man, and al¬ 
though it is improbable it is not impossible. O11 the other 
hand, we have precise observations that the disease in man has 
been produced by vegetables, grasses, etc., and it follows as in 
animals the same procedure. Contagion from animals to man 
is then doubtful (unless through inoculation or vaccination), 
