780 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



a spec'itic complement-fixing i)0\vei-, tliey are not capable of stimulating the 

 production of antibodies. The lii>oi(ls used in these experiments were obtained 

 from cestodes. 



The variability of the bacteria of the enteritidis group, F. M. Schmitt 

 (Ztschr. Jiifcktioitskrank: u. II yg. HausUere, 9 {1911), Xo. 3-J,, pp. 188-22J,).— 

 As a result of this work the author points out that the marked changes in the 

 agglutinin-fixing properties of some Fliigge strains of the enteritidis bacterium 

 probably support the view that both of the chief members of the enteritidis bac- 

 teria group (that is, the B«c///».s' enteritUlis (Gartner) and the/f. jxiraliiphokl^) 

 which seem to be different according to various immunity reactions, are in 

 reality variations of the same organism. 



Cotton-seed poisoning of live stock, R. R. Dinwiddie and A. K. Short 

 (Arkansas >S7rt. Bui. 1U8, pp. 395-^/10). — The experiments here reported were 

 undertaken mainly to tost the effects of various methods of treatment of cotton- 

 seed meal in removing or lessening the toxic action of this feed; also to learn 

 if any substance was removed from cotton-seed meal by simple methods of 

 extraction with aqueous and acid solvents, or by cooking, which would produce 

 in animals symptoms compnrable with those produced by the mitreated meal in 

 corresponding amounts. 



The following is a summary of the investigations as drawn by the authors: 



"It was found, in one trial, that 'fermentation' or decomposition of cotton- 

 seed meal for 48 hours at a temperature of 20 to 28° C. did not lessen its toxic 

 action when fed to pigs. 



" Cotton-seed meal, from which 2 i^er cent moi-e of fat had been removed by 

 extraction with gasoline, showed no diminution of toxicity. 



"In 2 trials it was found that cold aqueous extraction removed from 

 cotton-seed meal no substance which could be shown to be toxic for pigs. 



"The extract similarly obtained by dilute hydrochloric acid proved nontoxic 

 in one ti'ial. In a second test a temporary sickness occurred in one animal, the 

 identity of which with cotton-seed poisoning was not established. 



" The fluid strained from cotton-seed meal, after prolonged steaming, caused 

 death with symptoms and post-mortem changes of cotton-seed poisoning in one 

 case. This fluid, however, was not a clear solution of matters extracted from 

 the meal, but contained much material in suspension. The meal itself after 

 such cooking and sepai'ation of the fluid also proved toxic. 



"In young cattle (fattening steers) symptoms of poisoning appeared after a 

 consumption of cotton-seed meal (along with hulls) equal to from Tf) to lOS 

 per cent of the body weight. The anatomical lesion of cotton-seed poisoning 

 of cattle is an interstitial keratitis whicli may end in complete blindness. 



" In hogs there is a degeneration of the muscular tissue of the heart and of 

 the parenchyma of the liver and kidneys, viith extreme passive congestion of 

 all the viscera and fluid eft"usion into the serous cavities, especially the pleura. 

 Hogs which have recovered and regained their thrift did not show, after 

 slaughter, any microscopic changes in these organs. 



" It may be noted, finally, that -the ill effects resulting from the feeding of 

 cotton seed may be due to a prolonged absorption of poisonous products gen- 

 erated in the digestive tract by decomposition or putrefactive changes peculiar 

 to this feed. The problem, however, has not yet been approached fi'om this 

 point of view." 



The causation of molteno, pictou, or Winton disease in cattle and horses 

 (Bill. Imp. Inst. [So. Kensington], 9 (1911). No. //, pp. 3. 'iG-3 51). —This is a 

 brief summarized account. 



The insect parasites of domestic animals in Argentina, K. WoLFFHiJGEL 

 (Rev. Mtd, \'ct. Montcikleo, 2 (1911), Xos. 8-9, pp. 3r,.',-312; 10-11, pp. .'/.57-'/8/, 



