ACTINOMYKOSIS. 
203 
this absence of proof may be owing to our ignorance of the 
nature of the disease, and consequent inability to trace or ascribe 
its origin to infection. 
Now that we are acquainted with its pathology, and especially 
its etiology, and are in a position to be able to diagnose it in man 
and animals, we shall doubtless rapidly acquire new facts with 
regard to it. In the meantime, it is well to bear in mind the 
important fact—for which we are once more entirely indebted to 
experimental pathology—that the spores of this fungus, alike de¬ 
structive to man and beast, may invade the body by a trifling 
scratch or wound, and there set up such changes as to ultimately 
cause death. Many such cases may have entered our hospitals 
and come under the observation of the surgeons, without their 
true nature being suspected. For, as I have already said, no 
instance—so far as I am aware—has been recorded as occurring 
in man in this country, Germany alone furnishing all the cases 
hitherto recorded; and yet there is only too much evidence to 
show that it widely prevails among our cattle (probably also 
among our other domesticated animals), and therefore those who 
go about such diseased creatures must be exposed to accidental 
transplantation of the actinomyces. 
Addendum. 
Since the foregoing paper was written, M. Kaufmann, assist¬ 
ant teacher of physiology in the Lyons Veterinary School, has 
published some investigations he has made with regard to the 
infectiveness of the fungus, aspergillus glaucus, and as the 
results of his researches have an important bearing on the subject 
of micro-pathology, and especially on this of actinomykosis, I 
think it will not be amiss to refer to them here. 
The microbes and bacterides, it is now fully established, are 
not the only microscopic agents capable of exercising a pernicious 
influence on the health of animals and mankind, as other veget¬ 
able organisms, and particularly the spores of certain “ moulds,” 
possess the same property; and it was to more fully establish this 
point that Kaufmann undertook his task. In the note which 
embodies his remarks and conclusions, and which is given in the 
