87n EXPERIMP^NT STATION F.KCOKl). 



The infectiousness of different cultures of tubercle bacilli, K. Vagedes and 

 C. Fraenkel (Ztschr. Hiju. it. InfektloiisJcrank., 55 {1906), No. 2, pp. 321-330).— 

 The authors present opposing sides of the controversy regarding certain methods 

 of determining tlie viruleme of tuljercle bacilli of different origin. One of the 

 chief points of controversy invol^'es tlie question whether rabbits or guinea 

 pigs are tlie more suitable experimental animals for determining the degree of 

 virulence of tnbercle bacilli. 



The virulence of different cultures of tubercle bacillus, (". Fkaenkel and 

 E. Baumann {Ztfichr. II mi. n. I iifrktioiiskrinik.. 5'i (1906), Ao. 2. pp. 2'i7-261). — 

 During the investigations reported in this paper, '.il cultures of tubercle bacilli 

 were tested from different cases of human tuberculosis. The experimental 

 animals included rabbits, rats, mice, and guinea pigs, but the authors state 

 that the guinea pig is the only one of these animals which is well adapted for 

 demonstrating slight differences in the virulence of different cultures of tubercle 

 bacilli. As a matter of fact, little difference was observed in the virulence of 

 the various cultures which were used. In some cases cultures which had been 

 maintained for a long time on artificial nutrient media showed no diminution 

 of their virulence. 



Immunization with anthrax and tubercle bacilli attenuated by sunlight, 

 A. 1)1 Donna (Ccvthl. Ilakt. \ctc.\. 1. Abt., Orip., i? {1906), ^<)S. 7, pp. 6^2- 

 6^6: 8, pp. 771-77')). — In the investigations reported in this article it was found 

 that sunlight has a pronounced effect in reducing the toxic effect of the tubercle 

 .bacillus. Naturally the effect of sunlight becomes nioi'e pronounced as the ex- 

 posure of the tubercle bacilli to it is lengthened. Attention is called to the fact 

 that abscesses, general intoxication, and death may follow upon inoculation 

 with tubercle bacilli killed by heat or by any other means except sunlight. It 

 appears from the author's experiments, however, that sunlight has the effect 

 of attenuating or entirely destroying the most active toxic bodies contained in 

 the tubercle bacillus. 



The cause of trembles in cattle, sheep, and horses- and of milk sickness 

 in people, E. L. Moseley (Ohio \at.. 6 (1906). Ao.s-. 7/. pp. >i63-.'i70; 5, pp. 

 .'i77--'f83). — A historical statement is given of the prevalence of trembles and 

 milk sickness, particularly in the Central States. Since 1840 suspicion has 

 been fixed on white snake root (lUipatorium ayeratoUletf) as the cause of the 

 trouble, and certain experiments carried out previously to those of the author 

 seemed to give color to this belief. 



Portions of the plant and extracts from the same were fed to cats, dogs, 

 rabbits, sheep, and other animals and |)roduced poisonous eff'ects. The symp- 

 toms produced in the experimental animals included general nervousness, weak- 

 ness, and trembling, and the results were often fatal when large (piantities 

 were fed. During the experiments a boy accidentally received some of the 

 plant and was affected with similar symptoms. The meat of a sheei) poisoned 

 with the plant produced toxic effects in the cats which ate it. 



Post-mortem examinations failed to disclose many characteristic lesions or 

 pathological conditions. The kidneys were somewhat enlarged, but other organs 

 appeared to be in a normal state. The plant seems to produce its toxic effects 

 rapidly, but is not irritant. 



African coast fever, H. Creutz (Berlin. Ticnirzil. Wvliiisclii:, 1906. A'o. .'/?', 

 pp. 843, 84J1). — It has been established by experiment that African coast fever 

 may be transmitted by means of RJiipicephaliis appoidiciilatus, R. simuN, R. 

 niteus, R. cvertsi, and R. capeni^is. Partly on this account G. Neumann has 

 proposed that the five named sjiecies should be grouped together in a subgenus 

 as distinct from other species counnonly referred to this genus. The symp- 



