an important contribution to our knowledge of this subject
was made by Nocard, of the Alfort Veterinary School, in a communication to
the French Central Society of Veterinary Medicine. He showed clearly that
the actinomycosis of the tongue, a disease which appears to be quite common
in Germany, and is there known as "wooden tongue," could be quickly and
permanently cured by the administration of iodid of potassium. Nocard calls
attention to the success of Thomassen, of Utrecht, who recommended this
treatment so long ago as 1885, and who has since treated more than 80
cases, all of which have been cured. A French veterinarian, Godbille, has
used the same remedy in a number of cases of actinomycosis in the tongue,
all of which have been cured. Nocard also gives details of a case which was
cured by himself.
All the cases referred to were of actinomycosis of the tongue, and no one
appears to have attempted the cure of actinomycosis of the jaw until it was
undertaken by Noergaard, of the Bureau of Animal Industry. In April, 1892,
he selected a young steer in fair condition which had a tumor on the jaw
measuring 15-1/2 inches in circumference and from which a discharge had
already been established. This animal was treated with iodid of potassium,
and the result was a complete cure.
The iodid of potassium is given in doses of 1-1/2 and 2-1/2 drams once a
day, dissolved in water, and administered as a drench. The dose should vary
somewhat with the size of the animal and with the effects that are
produced. If the dose is sufficiently large signs of iodism appear in the
course of a week or 10 days. The skin becomes scurfy, there is weeping from
the eyes, catarrh of the nose, and loss of appetite. When these symptoms
appear the medicine may be suspended for a few days and afterward resumed
in the same dose. The cure requires from three to six weeks' treatment.
Some animals, generally the ones which show no signs of iodism, do not
improve under treatment with iodid of potassium.
If there is no sign of improvement after the animals have been treated four
or five weeks, and the medicine has been given in as large doses as appear
desirable, it is an indication that the particular animal is not
susceptible to the curative effects of the drug, and the treatment may
therefore be abandoned.
It is not, however, advisable to administer iodid of potassium to milch
cows, as it will considerably reduce the milk secretion or stop it
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