482 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



The precipitation of plant proteins, M. Wilenko (Ztschr. Immdmitatsf. v. 

 Expt. Ther., I, Orig., 5 {1910), No. 1, pp. 91-lOJi). — Extracts of seeds were 

 found to give the complement binding and precipitation reaction with proteins 

 of animal origin and when present in a definite ratio. Heterologous phytal- 

 bumins were found to produce precipitates, but when they were heated to 

 80° C. this property was lost without acquiring any fixing power. An excess 

 of serum, however, showed powers of fixation. The capacity of animal sera 

 to produce precipitates with phytalbumius is not destroyed if the sera are 

 heated to 80°. 



The specificity of the serum-precipitin reaction of the proteins, W. A. 

 Schmidt {Cairo Sci. Jour., 5 {1911), No. 62, pp. 211-2S9). — The author dis- 

 cusses the general theory of serum-precipitin reactions and their practical ap- 

 plication in medico-legal practice and food inspection, the relationship reac- 

 tions between animals of different species, the specificity of precipitins from 

 different kinds of proteins from one and the same species, the influence of 

 heat and alkali upon the specificity of the precipitins, and the practical value 

 of heat-alkali precipitins in the inspection of suspicious food preparations. 



The effect of nuclein on the blood, B. F. Kaupp {Amer. Yet. Rev., 40 {1911), 

 No. 3, pp. 306-315). — These experiments, which were conducted with 9 horses, 

 were made for the purpose of determining the following points: (a) The effect 

 of nuclein on erythrocytes, (b) the effect of nuclein on the hemaglobiu, (c) the 

 effect of nuclein on the time of coagulation, (d) the effect of nuclein on the 

 power of phagocytosis, (e) the effect of nuclein on leucocytes, both in quantity 

 and differentially, and (f) the effect of nuclein in vitro on the power of 

 phagocytosis. The nuclein used was obtained from the wheat germ. 



The author concludes that nuclein increases the total number of leucocytes in 

 the blood, the polymorphonuclear leucocytes, and the power of phagocytosis of 

 the individual leucocyte. It has no effect upon the erythrocyte or hemaglobin, 

 or on the power of phagocytosis in vitro. It deci'eases the time of coagulation 

 of the blood, and promises to be of great value in stopping hemorrhage in cases 

 of wound seepage or injuries. To obtain the best results in cases of infectious 

 diseases nuclein should be given hypodermatically, and in cases of hemorrhage 

 intravenously. 



Report on live stock conditions in Imperial Valley, C L. Roadhouse {Cali- 

 fornia Sta. Bui. 219, pp. 1195-1222, figs. 20). — Investigations of diseases of cattle 

 in Imperial County are reported. This is one of the most important stock pro- 

 ducing sections in California, live stock being shipped in from New Mexico, 

 Arizona, and INIexico and fattened for the Los Angeles market. The status of 

 the industry is briefly described and the water supply of the valley discussed. 



During the course of these investigations, the author found acute keratitis 

 to occur on several ranges, this disease being incorrectly known among stock- 

 men as " pink eye." Nine of 204 cows tested with tuberculin reacted. 



Summer sore in horses was found to be of frequent occurrence. In studies of 

 4 cases examinations of blood, made with a view to determining the presence 

 of filaria embryos, resulted negatively. Many animals are affected with chronic 

 dermatitis to a greater or lesser extent and while not incapacitated for work, 

 they have an unthrifty appearance and fall off in condition due to the irritation 

 and rubbing of the skin, mane, and tail. 



Losses of hogs in the valley are due largely to the death of young pigs from 

 necrotic dermatitis and to the lack of thrift in young pigs and grown hogs due 

 to the presence of the hog louse. Necrotic dermatitis is said to appear in 3 

 forms : In the first the ears dry up, form crusts, and peel off ; in the second 

 scurf forms over the back, shoulders, and head, while in the third the disease 

 appears as scale on the muzzle and face of young pigs. Several raisers in 



