New Zealand Department of Agriculture.

Manawatu Herald, 1 February 1894, Page 2

New Zealand Department of Agriculture.

-♦ The following interim reports on Actinotnycosis by the Government Veterinarians are issued for the information of stock owners. It will be seen that it is important any animal showing the symptoms mentioned should be destroyed without delay. I have, therefore, to solicit the aid of settlers in an endeavour to prevent the further spread of this disease. John D. Bitchie. ACTINOMYCOSIS AMONGST CATTLE ON the West Coast of tiie Nokth Island. Interim Reports by the Government Veterinarian*. As requested, I beg to report on the occurrence of the disease Actinomycosis amongst cattle on the west coast ot the North Island. This disease is generally known to farmers of that district under the names of cancer, tuberculosis, lumpy jaw, &c, the symptoms and appearances varying greatly in different cases. Up to the present the investigation of Actinomycosi3 has almost solely boen confined to England and Germany, where the disease is found to usually attack the tongues of cattle (producing the condition known as woody tongue), and occasionally the jaw and surrounding tissues. In this colony, however, I have never found the tongue affected, the most common seat of the affection here being the lymphatic glands of the head and neck, especially between and behind (he jaws, being associated with the formation of circumscrib-d tumours, with thick walla and a soft, purulent, gritty centre. Occasionally . the ■. thvoafcjV aronnd and between the pharynx and larynx, becomes the seat of the disease, causing great difficiilty in breathing. In other cases the lungs alone are affected, when the animal as a rule loses flesh and becomes what is knowu as a " waster ;" and on post mortem examination being mad\ numerous nodules are found', varying from the size of a marble- to that of an orange, and on section they arc seen to contain the almost characteristic gritty yellowish pus. In early stages the nodules or alweessos are few, and situated in the deep tissue of the lung. The on trance of the micro-fungus Actinomyces, to whose presence this disease is due, seems to be through any abrasion or wound in the mouth or pharyugeal cavity, and probably tha most frequent period is during, the replacement of the ." 'mttk't&Hp> by the permanent ones, i'- ih' y 6tt6 case, however, which came tmdfcF my notice, the organisms had gained an entrance after castration, ■•<»!> actinomycotic tumour . jjeing . Jaund in the scrotum; the iungs ,of yr^he animal, it is interesting. ;^O'-^t«, were also affected, il^i^in^; a proof that the disease ;is,^|>/^tw. There is no doubt, bpyr^v|^^j|iat germs may be carried fror4 s^jin|jbal to animal through the nieSfuni of the food, &c. • ■■■££ i!fvv Fearing that in cities wljeje Ihe liings were affected, Actiiui|^ipsi3 might be accompanied by^|lierculosis, I carefully examineS^Veral specimens for the presence of the Bacillus tuberculosis, but in no instance did I discover these pathogenic microbes. I have, &c, John A. Gileuih, M.&O.V.S. • Nov, 30, 1898.

In this colony eight cases of Actinoniycosis have come under my, observation since Ist- November* The country supplying these' tended from Palmerston to New Plymouth. The animals were one bull, two cows, two heifers,- and three oxen, their ages ranging tfrpmi two to ten years. It is difficult indeed to obtain information^ pi a reliable nature regarding the hietpry of these animals, owing to change of ownership, &c, but, in two instances, there is absolute proof that the morbid processes have " been progressing for upwards of six months. ; „ In every instance the manifesta-. tions of the disease were found to tra macroscopically and microscopically identical in all points of import , with those met with in the British Isles, though in the majority of the former the lesions were perhaps much move extensive. This applies equally to the phenomena presented ante and pott mortm, and appears to be sufficient!/ accounted for by non*

»■ I' - — ■' ' ' 111 U I I IM 1.. - surgical interference, climatic and other influences. There is little doubt that in three of the subjects upon which autopsiet *" were conducted the micro organ i-.m had goined access to the system J* through punctures of the hide, whilst in the remainder it may be pretty safely assumed that entrance had been effected through some abraded mucous surface. In the majority of these cases ante mortem diagnoses Were com* paratively simple. It is, however of much importance to note that in the case of one animal (a pedigree shorthorn heifer in prime condition) there was absolutely no appearance of disease excepting a small tumour on the posterior aspect of the thigh, whilst another animal had a tumour in the loose tibial tissues. In the foimer case the interior of the tumour -. had to be explored before its exact nature could be determined. The •animal was then slaughtered, and ' fcveral minor centres of disease were found in the abdominal cavity. In the other .case, a portion of material was withdrawn % from the centre of tumefaction by means of the pneumatic giphoc, and subjected to examination. The animal was then slaughtered, and, apart from the tumour already referred to, the most careful search failed to reveal the presence of any morbid lesion in any organ or tissue of the body. Of the infectivifcy of Actinomycosis there is jinfortunately but too abundant evidence, and that, as in the case of other infective granulomata, the blood and lymphatic vessels are the channels of dissemnation, no douht need be entertained. . ....Settlers.should note with care and regard suspicion the appearance of any -swelling between the jaws, about the throat, shoulders, or thighs, and all such cases should be reported without delay to the Stock Inspector of the district in which they occur. J. R. Charltox, M.R.C.V.S, M.P.S., &c. Dec. 9, 1893.