ACTINOMYKOSIS. 
157 
ACTINOMYKOSIS: A NEW INFECTIOUS DISEASE OF ANIMALS 
AND MANKIND.* ' 
By George Fleming, F.R.C.V.S., Army Veterinary Inspector. 
(Continued frovip. 124.) 
- 
Jolme and Vachetta point out that the periphery of the acti- 
nomyces tuft is not always so symmetrical as Harz has repre¬ 
sented, and mv own observations confirm this remark. When 
closely examined, many of the club-shaped cells towards the 
periphery will be found standing out prominently from the 
others, and measuring about 0.0019 mm. broad to 0.0740 mm. 
long. 
Here and there are some fine, pale, faintly shining, single 
mycelium threads springing from the depths of the tuft, and 
appearing beyond its margin. Another tuft, or portion of one, 
mainly consists of such mycelium or hyphen-threads. Very ex¬ 
ceptionally, there are seen at the peripheral end of these fine 
threads, a delicate pear-shaped expansion; and among them are 
larger pear or club-shaped cells, often crowded together; while 
not unfrequently are noticed isolated, and generally small tufts, 
which appear to be composed only of the very finest mycelia, and 
which Harz looked upon as aborted forms, but which Johne con¬ 
siders young growths. Within the zone of the tuft, and especially 
towards the centre, are not only the upper surfaces or ends of 
the larger club-shaped cells visible, but also small shining cor¬ 
puscles, which resemble micrococci. In the centre of the tuft, in 
addition, are extremely fine, but not very numerous mycelia; and 
beyond these, passing direct towards the periphery, are many 
mycelia with their extremity expanding into a long pear-shaped 
body, which has received the name of conidium, and of which 
there is generally only one for each thread. In breaking up or 
pressing the tuft, the conidia are very easily detached in the shape 
of conical or pyriform bodies, with in many instances the narrow 
end much elongated. The mycelium is irregularly branched, two 
’From the Veterinary Journal. 
