528 
GEORGE FLEMING. 
A microscopical examination of the nodules from the mucous 
membrane of the nose, by Mr. Batt, M.B.C.V.S., of the Brown In¬ 
stitution, revealed the existence of myriads of the vegetable 
organism designated Actinomyces , each nodule or mass being 
made up of a number of smaller nodules, these individually con¬ 
taining nests of felted fungi. Each cluster of the Actinomyces 
had the characteristic daisy-like outline and radiating lines spring¬ 
ing from a somewhat dark centre, which will be hereafter alluded 
to, and which was such a marked feature in the specimens found 
in the first-described tongue. 
These specimens, then, exhibited the same characteristic fungus 
elements and pathological features as the tongue, and leave no 
doubt whatever as to the nature of the malady which is reported 
to be so widely prevalent in Gloucestershire, and, from report, in 
other parts of England, as well as in Scotland and Ireland, and 
prove its non-identity with tuberculosis. 
The great importance and interest which attaches to this dis¬ 
ease, have, therefore, induced me to bring it to the notice of the 
veterinary and medical professions in this country, as its nature 
has not hitherto been suspected, though by various names it has 
probably been known as a destructive disorder among cattle and 
other animals from time immemorial; and though its presence 
has not hitherto been signalized in our own species in these 
islands, yet that it may not unfrecjuently occur there is everv 
reason to believe, when we now know how prevalent it is amoiiir 
our cattle, and that cases affecting mankind have been recorded in 
Continental medical literature. 
History. 
As already stated, so far as the pathology of this malady is 
concerned, it is a new disease, as until its histological characters 
were discovered, we were in ignorance of its nature. For a very 
long period, and especially in Germany, it had been observed that 
the ox tribe was affected with a certain disease, or diseases, of the 
bones and soft tissues of the head, which received various popular 
names by agriculturists and dairy people, whose cattle were so 
frequently victims to it. In Germany the disease of the bones 
