AC'TINOMYCO'SIS (nk. nn-,t, 01 is, ray, ± //ix/A., Inyk(r's,, mushroom. fungus, ex crescence). •IAW, or Bin A specific, infectious disease produced by a parasitic micro known as the IZay fungus I leiiIIMOly CeR 1,0 r iS). The micro-organism causes local affections in the form of tumor. (.1 gm Inn In) of the hone and other tissue:. The dis ease is usually of sporadic OeellITellee, but some takes the form of an enzerdy. It is most frequent ly found Hi cattle, but also horses, pigs, sheep. deer, llama, .1.1anaco, and 111011. Actinomycotie tumors in cattle have been recognized since 1825, although they have fre quently been mistaken for cancerous, Luberen. lout, and other kinds of tumors. The disease occurs in all parts of Europe and North and South America. The Ilay fungus is found in all tumors and abscesses of this (lisease, wher ever situated, and its presence may he detected by the form of small yellow spots in the muscles and soft tissues of affected animals. When -lightly magnified these spots are seen to consist of a radiating strueture, which is channteristie of the growth of the ray fungus. In cattle the seat of the disease is 'usually in the inferior maxillary bones, submaxillary salivary glands, in the tongue, pharynx, and (esophagus. The CO/11unon names, Big .law, Lumpy law, Big Head, and Wooden Tongue are descriptive of the most frequent forms of actinomycosis in cattle and horses. When the maxillary bones -ire affected, a large bone tumor is formed which shows a highly vacuolated cancellate structure. Statis tics collected in Russia show. that in 99 of eases actinomyeosis was located in the head. In a small percentage of cases the lungs and intestines are affected. :Maxillary tumors in cattle are almost invariably due to the Ray fungus, and therefore actimnyeosi.s may he read ily diagnosed, Considerable difference of opinion prevails regarding the systematic position of the Ray fungus. It has been supposed that the organism has a plant host on which it passes part of its life cycle. The agency of various grasses (espe
cially snob as have sharp-pointed awns) in transmitting actinomycotis can hardly be ques tioned. About 5(a) eases of this disease in man have been reported in the medical jonrnals, the greater miming- of cases having occurred as a result of eating raw meat.
Actinomycosis is peenliar in that it yields to it direct specific treatment.. in ISs5 Thomasten showed that recent eases of the disease could be cured by the internal administration of potas iodide. In treating aetinomyeosis in cattle the ordinary practice is to give daily doses of eight to twelve grams of potassium iodide for weekly periods, alternating with shorter periods, in order that the animals may recover from the symptoms of iodism. Actinomyeosis follows a sloy chronic eonrse of development.
The relationship of the disease to the public health has been much discussed. Apparently infection most frequently takes place in man :1n(1 Pattie through diseased teeth or abrasions of the mucous membrane of the mouth. The identity of actinomyeosis in man and cattle is admitted by nearly all investigators, but most authorities hold that. its direct transmission to man through eating the meat of affected animals is of rare occurrence. Whether an ani mal affected with aetinoinycosis should be used for human food is a question the answer to which depends upon a variety of circumstances. It may, however, he safely asserted that animals in which the disease has become generalized should be condemned. For details concerning actimanycosis consult I). E. Salmon. "Investiga Relating the Trc.onient of Jaw. or Actinolnycosis, in Cattle,” r. S. Department of .1grienIture. 1111 rf 11 n of I ni1Nn1 Industry, Bulletin .1 (Washington, 1893) D. E. Salmon and others, Report ini Diseases of Cattle and on Cattle Feeding," Report of U. S. .Igricnlinr, for 1:nrenu of Anil/oil Indust en : "Timieurs des inachoires observrws dant •ournnl tic .1/(Wecinc. 1'0f:rim/ire (Paris, I8261.