ACTINOMYCO'SIS, a disease due to a vegetable parasite known as the ray fungus, ActinomTces bovis, of the fungus class. This fungus lives its life in grasses and plants and thus infects cattle, in which animals it is com paratively frequent, causing the disease known as abig jaw,* or clumpy jaw.* These in turn affect man. It is also found in horses, pigs, sheep, deer and llama. The disease has been recognized since 1825 and is often mistaken for cancerous, tuberculosis or syphilitic tumors. B811inger first accurately described the disease in cattle in 1877. It is found throughout Eu rope and the Americas. The fungus is found in all tumors and abscesses of the disease and is readily detected by the microscope. Cattle i are usually affected in the salivary glands, the inferior maxillary bones, the tongue, cesophagos and pharynx. Hogs are generally affected in the udder. Great difference of opinion exists regarding the position of the fungus, but it is generally held that part of its life is spent on a plant host. Grasses with sharp awns appear to be a chief agency for the transfer of the ray fungus to cattle. The general treatment consists in opening, draining and sterilizing the abscesses, wherever accessible, and by arlmin ' istering internally potassium iodide. The dis
ease pursues a slow, chronic course. Infection in man and cattle most frequently takes place through diseased teeth or abrasions of the mucuous membrane of the mouth. See PARA SITES.
In man the symptoms are often very ob scure. Some infections of the lungs have appeared to be cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Pathologically the disease is one of new con nective tissue formation with abscess produc tion. It is a chronic disease, and often is a slow, suppurative affair affecting the tissues about the pharynx and neck. The bones, lungs and intestinal tract may be affected. The diag nosis may be readily made by the microscope. Consult Salmon, D. E., 'Investigation Relating to the Treatment of Lumpy-Jaw, or Actinomy cosis in Cattle,' Department of Agriculture Bulletin No. 2 (1893) • Salmon, D. E., et al., 'Special Report on Diseases of Cattle and Cattle-Feeding,' Report of United States De partment of Agriculture for 1904, Bureau of Animal Industry (Washington 1904). For the disease in man consult Osier, 'Modern Medi cine' (New York and Philadelphia 1910).