M. Y.
MANGRULKAR
285
From swine a large number of cases of " actinomycosis " have been des-
cribed since the first case of Johne in 1879. The most common lesions are those
found in the udder, particularly in old sows [Magnusson, 1928]. Although
other sites of infection have been described, e.g., pharyngeal region, cervical
or dorsal vertebrae, lungs, and substance of the skeletal muscle [M'Fadyean,
1889], it seems probable that not all take the form of actinophytosis. The
lung lesions described by Albiston [1921] were, however, of true actinomycosis.
Magnusson failed, in his extensive work, to encounter in pigs anything
comparable with the bovine actinobacillosis of the organs of the head, the
lesions being exclusively in the udder, caused by two types of A. bovis and by
Staphylococcus pyogenes. He has singularly failed to meet with a case of
actinobacillosis, although according to Griffith [1931], the bacillus is known to
infect porcine udders. Experimental inoculations in pigs, using the Strepto-
thrix and the Staphylococcus from actual lesions, have been successful [Mag-
nusson, 1928].
In calcareous deposits in pig's muscles, an Actinomyces—A. mus-
culorum—has been seen [Dodge, 1936]. It has not been cultivated.
In bovines actinophytosis may appear in an epizootic form [Lignieres,
and Spitz, 1902 ; Stenon, 1891 ; Mattinson, 1932]. All the four types of actino-
phytosis viz., those due to A. bovis, A. lignieres, Staphylococcus pyogenes and
Corynebacterium pyogenes are known, the udder lesions being always staphylo-
coccal in origin. From the literature it is evident that the disease affecting
the soft organs or the bones of the head, or the skin, internal organs and the
serous membranes [Bosworth, 1930], where the lymph glands are also infected,
is always due to Actinobacillus; whereas, in actinomycosis proper which affects
the bone or the neighbouring soft tissues, there is no involvement of the glands.
According to Delepine [1890] and Bosworth [1923] the glands may be en-
larged and denser due, not to infection by A. bovis but due to irritants produced
by it in the lesions. Contrary to what is mentioned in some text-books actino-
mycosis of the tongue does not exist; the causative organism to be isolated
from " wooden tongue " has always been A. lignieresi, never A. bovis [M'
Fadyean, 1932]. In the words of Magnusson, " from what we know, there is
simply no actinomycosis of the tongue in cattle, the affection being always
actinobacillosis of the tongue."
Although " lumpy jaw " is, as a rule, an actinomycosis [Davies, 1932 ;
Sedlmeier, 1936] cases are not uncommon where the condition has been caused
by Actinobacillus [Bosworth, 1923 ; Magnusson, 1928]. In spite of a few ex-
ceptional reports of infection of lymph glands by A. bovis [Weighton, 1932 ;
Thompson, 1933], it is generally accepted that in bovine actinomycosis " the
lesions are for the most purely local and if any dissemination takes place it is
by way of the blood channels. A lymphogenic spreading hardly ever occurs.
Lymphadenitis does not occur. If the lymphatic glands are involved we may
be sure that the causative agent is not Streptothrix israeli, but A. lignieresi "
[Magnusson, 1928]. Blood transmission sometimes occurs in man [see Cope,
D