ACTINOMYKOSIS. 
57 
and which formed, with the thickened and indurated cutis, a con¬ 
tinuous kind of rind. The entire mass gave the impression that 
the parts had been affected with diffuse inflammation, which had 
produced extreme induration of the skin and the subcutaneous 
and gland tissues. But what was peculiar, was the presence in 
the homogeneous mass of a considerable number—more than a 
dozen—of sharply-defined nodules, from the size of a cherry¬ 
stone to that of a walnut, imbedded in a spongy, flesh-like gela¬ 
tinous matrix, and studded with yellowish spots, islets, and small 
cavities. These cavities contain a greyish-yellow fluid, in which 
a number of white bodies, the size of a millet-seed, were sus¬ 
pended. 
Microscopically, no trace of the gland structure was found in 
the dense connective tissue. The yellow, flesh-like substance of 
the solid portion had a general resemblance to polymorphous 
round-cell tissue, with very few vessels, while lying in groups, in 
concentric strata of increasing dimensions, were small, white 
nodules. Throughout these, and in the fluid portion, were found 
immense numbers of the Actinomyces , many of them surrounded 
by a calcareous envelope. These felt like particles of sand. 
Actinomykosis of the Lungs. 
Actinomykosis of the lung of cattle had not been observed un¬ 
til Professor Pflug, Veterinary Professor in the University of 
Giessen, published an instance in 1882 . Indeed, there were only 
four cases of lung actinomykosis recorded previous to this—two 
occurring in the human species, and two produced in calves by 
experimental inoculation—all recorded by Ponfick. 
Pflng’s case is very interesting, and is as follows: 
A cow about five years old, appeared to be dull, did not eat 
as usual, and frequently coughed. For two days before the arri¬ 
val of the veterinary surgeon, the appetite had almost gone, and 
the respirations and cough were so frequent that the owner 
thought the animal was suffering from inflammation ot the lungs. 
The veterinary surgeon found the cow apathetic, nostrils widely 
dilated, and staggering about the stall; the dyspnoea was great, 
and breathing most laborious. Percussion on each side of the 
