182 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



pp. /tl9-46S, pis. 2, figs. 18). — Following a brief discussion of the importance of 

 parasitic diseases and the desirability of a study of distribution, etc., the author 

 takes up the present liuowledge of the distribution and importance of Piro- 

 plasma Mgeminum, Fasciola hepatica, F. magna, MuUiceps multiceps, Thysano- 

 soma actinioides, Hcemonchus contortus, (Esophagostomum columbianum, 

 (Estrus ovis, and Psoroptes communis ovis, respectively. 



Maps illustrating the distribution of these pai*asltes and a bibliogx-aphy of 

 33 titles are included. 



Cysticerci in American sheep, reindeer, and cattle, B. H. Ransom (Science, 

 n. sei:, 35 {1912), No. 903, p. 636).— It is stated that the heart and voluntary 

 muscles of sheep are frequently found by federal meat inspectors to be infested 

 ■with cysticerci. While these cysticerci closely resemble Cysticercus cellulosce, 

 it is improbable that so many cases of this parasite would occur in sheep anid be 

 so comparatively rare in this country in hogs, which are the usual host. 



Specimens of muscle cysticerci from Alaskan reindeer have been provisionally 

 identified as the cysticerci of Tcenia krahhei, a tapeworm of the dog. Mention 

 Is made of some unusually high percentages of infestation of cattle with C. 

 hovis. 



The determination of opsonins and bacterial tropins in antistreptococcic 

 serum in horses, Pkicolo and Bartelli (Clin. Vet. [Milan], Rass. Pol. Sanit. 

 e Ig., Sit {1911), Nos. 11, pp. 769-775; 18-19, pp. 817-826; aU. in Berlin. 

 Tierarztl. Wchnschr., 28 {1912), No. 7, p. 127). — Normal and immune sera were 

 both found to contain substances capable of stimulating the phagocytosis of 

 streptococcus equd. In normal serum the substances are thermolabile, while in 

 immune they are thermostabile. They are present in larger amounts in the 

 immune sera. 



The opsonic index was found to fluctuate only between very narrow limits. 

 It was greater in immune animals, but on injection of virulent organisms it was 

 found to assume a negative phase. Accordingly, it is concluded that opsonins 

 and bacterial tropins are different substances. 



In reg'ard to the preparation of a precipitating anthrax serum, W. N. 

 Markoff {Berlin. Tierarztl. Wchnschr., 27 {1911), No. J,7, pp. 8J,9-851).— By 

 injecting rabbits with bacteria-free extracts of the anthrax bacillus it is possi- 

 ble to obtain a specific precipitating serum. The specific precipitating sub- 

 stances in the serum rise to a certain fastigium and then begin to vanish 

 gradually. Physiological salt solution (0.85 per cent) is not recommended for 

 preparing the antigen, as it produces a ring in the test with the specific serum 

 itself. Bouillon can be used to better advantage. 



Treatment of anthrax by hypodermic injections of carbolic acid, G. 

 CoNDER (Jour. Trop. Vet. 8ci., 6 {1911), No. 4, pp. 436-^41). — In this article are 

 recorded the results of treating 11 horses affected with anthrax by injections of 

 carbolic acid. These were given every 2 to 4 hours at the beginning of the 

 disease, and later every 6 hours until the temperature reached normal. 



Seven of the cases recovered, and of the 4 animals which died 3 did not 

 receive the treatment in the early stages of the disease. Two other animals 

 which received no treatment died. 



The significance of agglutination for diagnosing blackleg and the fer- 

 menting capacity of the Bacillus anthracis symptomatici, with particular 

 regard to differentiating between symptomatic anthrax and malignant 

 edema, G. Geosso {Berlin. Tierarztl. Wchnschr., 27 {1911), No. 35, pp. 621- 

 625). — The results show that the highest fermenting capacity toward dextrose, 

 lactose, saccharose, and glycerin was possessed by the B. anthracis sympto- 

 matici. The pseudo blackleg bacteria also fermented saccharose but not gly- 

 cerin. The bacillus of malignant edema in a few instances decomposed glycerin, 



