680 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



been i-econiinemled in the treatment of mange in dogs. In the authors experi- 

 ments alcohol was tested for this purpose. The treatment consisted in thorough 

 cleansing of the skin, after which alcohol was rubbed on the affected parts. The 

 solution used in these experiments was obtained by adding 2 parts of 95 per 

 cent alcohol to 100 parts of water. This treatment is not successful in all cases. 

 but gives very satisfactoi-y and certain results in cases of mange which have not 

 been neglected too long. 



The virus of fowl plague, K. Landsteiner (('ciit1>l. Bakt. [etc.], 1. Abt., 

 Rcf., 38 (1906), No. 17-18. pp. 5-'/0-5.'i2) . — The author was unable to determine 

 whether the virus of fowl plague is found inside the blood corpuscles or merely 

 upon the outside surface. The virus may be sei)arated by the use of the cen- 

 trifuge with the aid of a 1 per cent salt solution. In order to obtain evidence 

 which will help in determining whether the organism is protozoan or bacterial, 

 the author subjected the virus to a 0.5 per cent solution of saponin in a 1 per 

 cent salt solution. This solution quickly destroyed the trypanosomes, but did 

 not affect ordinary bacteria or yeasts. Birds inoculated with virus treated 

 with the solution remaiued alive, while control fowls inociilated with untreated 

 virus died within (U to 78 hours. 



Inimunization against fowl cholera with aggressins and bacterial sus- 

 pensions, <). IIiNTEMi i.i.ER (Cciithl. Bait, [etc.], 1. AM.. Orif/.. ',2 (1906). 

 No. 2, pp. 170-17 Jf). — Previous investigations have shown that in the bodies of 

 animals dying of certain infectious diseases an aggressin was found which had 

 the effect of increasing the virulence of small doses of the pathogenic organism 

 and of producing an immunity when animals were treated with it for a consider- 

 able length of time. An exudate obtained in this way from guinea pigs inocu- 

 lated with fowl cholera did not cause an increase in the virulence of the orgaii- 

 ism. An immunity was brought about, however, by treating the animal with 

 the pathogenic organisms after they had been killed by subjection to a tempera- 

 ture of 44° C. The active principle in suspensions thus obtained was found to 

 be connected with the bacterial bodies since, when these susi)ensions were 

 filtered, the material free from bacteria had no effect. 



Chicken pox or sore head in poultry, C. A. Cary (Alabama College Sta. 

 Bill. 136, pp. 17-56, pis. 3). — t'hicken pox is said to cause more mortality among 

 chickens in Alabama than any other disease. There appears to be no Well- 

 marked distinction between chicken pox, avian diphtheria, and roup, as these 

 terms are ordinarily used. The literature relating to the subject is carefully 

 reviewed. A number of inoculation tests were made with organisms obtained 

 from cases of chicken pox. 



The author concludes that the cause of the disease is not definitely known. 

 Some evidence is usually presented to show that Bacillus cacosmus or some 

 species of Bacterium or I»seudomonas may be factors in causing the disease, but 

 careful experiments failed to connect either one of them with the disease as the 

 primary cause. Chicken pox may be carried by various insects. The period of 

 incubation varies from 2 to 20 days. Chicks from 7 to 8 months of age are most 

 susceptible, and affected birds may recover in from 2 to 8 weeks. ^Mortality 

 varies from 50 to 70 per cent. 



The author reports satisfactory results from the ai)plication of iodoform' and 

 tannic or boric acid upon affected parts of the throat and eyes. A large number 

 of other antiseptics have been used with fair success. A bibliography of the 

 subject is given and mention is made of the chief points to lie oliserved in the 

 sanitary management of fowls. 



A remedy for gapes in fowls (Join: Bit. Af/r. [ London], 13 (1906), No. 6, 

 p. 36\S').— Success is reported in treating gapes by the fumes of carbolic acid. In 



