882 EXPERIMENT HTATION RECORD. 



tubercle bacilli from both human and bovine sources which are very resistant 

 toward autiformin. These lose some of their infecting capacity only when 

 exposed for from 12 to 24 hours to concentrated antiformin. 



Tuberculosis and Tuberculosan, W. BuEOW (Berlin. Tierdrztl. Wchnsvhr., 

 29 (1913), No. JfS, pp. 854-858). — A polemic, in which the author claims that 

 the various methods for eradicating tuberculosis are not to be displaced by 

 Burow's method, but are aided by it. 



Tuberculosan — Burow, Rautmann (Berlin. Tierdrztl. Wchnschr., 29 (1913), 

 'No. Jfl, pp. 729-732). — This is a critical analysis of a circular sent out by a firm 

 manufacturing Tuberculosan. The preparation, according to the author, has 

 110 immunizing properties whatever. 



Is the eradication of tuberculosis with Tuberculosan proven? Rautmann 

 (Berlin. Tierdrztl. Wchnschr., 30 (1914), No. 3, pp. 43-45).— This is answered 

 negatively and, according to the author, no specific properties can be attributed 

 to Tuberculosan. 



Investig'ations about complement-fixing antibodies in experimental and 

 spontaneous tuberculosis and also in paratuberculous enteritis, O. Bang and 

 C. W. Andersen (Centbl. Bakt. [etc.}, 1. Abt., Orig., 69 (1913), No. 7, pp. 517- 

 538, figs. 3). — The sera of tuberculous bovines were found to contain complement- 

 fixing antibodies, and their quantity was in proportion to the gravity of the 

 disease. The complement fixation test is not specific and simply indicates that 

 acid-fast bacilli are present. 



The sera from cows affected with paratuberculous enteritis ( Johne's disease) 

 behave in the same manner with the complement fixation test as do those from 

 tuberculous cows. The sera from paratuberculous cows contain many anti- 

 bodies, and in advanced cases where the mammary gland is affected the milk 

 may contain them. In the more severe forms of tuberculosis the milk undoubt- 

 edly contains many antibodies. 



The sera of rabbits treated subcutaneously with killed or avirulent living 

 tubei'cle bacilli were found to contain and retain many antibodies for a con- 

 siderable length of time. Unlike the case of the tuberculous bovine, infection 

 of the rabbit with virulent tubercle bacilli does not induce the formation of 

 large quantities of complement-fixing substances. The rabbits often, when 

 strongly tuberculous, show only a small amount of antibodies. 



A good antigen may be prepared with slightly emulsified tubercle bacilli, 

 whereas tuberculin, according to this investigation, is an inferior antigen. 

 Horses, like rabbits, receiving subcutaneous injections of killed tubercle bacilli 

 yield a blood containing much antigen. 



Antibodies can also be detected in the blood of birds with the complement 

 fixation test. 



Report on actinomycosis (ray fungus disease) and tuberculosis in imported 

 South American ox tongues, E. W. Hope (Liverpool, 1914, PP- 20). — In his 

 report as medical officer of health at the port of Liverpool, the author sum- 

 marizes investigations based upon examinations of 147,501 South American ox 

 tongues as follows: 



" Diseased conditions are present in South American tongues to an extent of 

 2.5 per cent. No doubt many tongues are rejected by the inspectors in South 

 America, especially those which show extensive lesions in the blade of the 

 tongue. Recent importations show that the majority of these tongues are 

 being more carefully inspected ; the glands are frequently incised and properly 

 skewered in position. Actinomycosis (ray fungus disease) is present in South 

 American tongues, and must be fairly prevalent among the cattle. Tuberculo- 

 sis is also present among these infected South American tongues; all those 

 glands which showed caseous or calcareo-caseous nodules were submitted to 



