VETERINARY MEDICINE. • 287 



In regard to the type of tubercle bacilli which is present in tuberculosis 

 of swine, H. E. Kersten and E. Ungermann {Ttiberkulusc Arb. K. Gs)idhtsamt., 

 1!J12, No. 11, pp. 171-100). — From 19 tuberculous swine pure cultures of the 

 bovine type of bacillus were obtained and tested as regards virulence with 

 guinea pigs. Seventeen of the cases were taken at random in the slaughter- 

 houses while the 2 remaining ones were suspected of being of human origin. 

 One of the latter cases on autopsy seemed to have its inception as a result of 

 castration. 



Infectious abortion in bovines, Miessneb (Berlin. Tierdrztl. Wchnschr., 

 2S (1012), No. 18, pp. 316, 3i7).— After investigating the value of the sero- 

 diagnoslic methods with cattle in the eastern provinces of Germany, the author 

 finds that the agglutination and complement fixation methods, in the form in 

 which they have been used for diagnosing glanders, are a reliable means for 

 diagnosing infectious abortion in bovines. In practically all cases the serum 

 test substantiated the clinical findings. Infectious abortion was found to have 

 no relation to vaginal catarrh. The author will publish a more detailed report 

 of this work later. 



A comparative investigation in regard to milk from cows having in- 

 fections of the udder, E. Seel (Ztscltr. UnicrsU'Ch. Xahr. u. Gemissmtl., 21 

 (1911), No. 3, pp. 129-168; ahs. in Ztschr. Angew. Chem., 2Jt (1911), No. 12, p. 

 561). — From the results it could be noted that the reaction of the secretion 

 from animals suffering from mastitis is alkaline toward litmus. The milk 

 sugar, fat, and chlorids are much diminished, while the protein, particularly 

 albumin, is increased. The refraction of fats showed considerable variation 

 from the normal. 



Abnormal milk from cows affected with an inflammation of the mammary- 

 glands, C. Ambergeb (Ztschr. Untersuch. NaJir. u. Genussmtl., 23 (1912), No. 

 S, pp. 369-379). — A description of the chemical changes taking place in the milk 

 from 2 animals during the cycle of the disease. The most pronounced changes 

 were the same as those noted in the abstract above with the exception that the 

 chlorin content was increased. One of the samples showed at the outset an 

 increased fat content. 



Investigation of milk from cows suffering from mastitis for its enzym 

 content, H. Ulmann ( Untcrsuchungen voii Milch euterkranker Kiihe auf ihren 

 EnzyiitgchaU. Inaug. Diss., Tierarztl. Hochsch. Stuttgart, 1912, pp. 78; rev. in 

 Deut. Schlacht u. Tiehhof Ztg., 12 (1912), No. 21, pp. 319, 320).— The enzym 

 content of milk was found to be influenced by the presence of mastitis, which in 

 most instances had a tendency to increase it. It, however, undergoes marked 

 fluctuations and is greatly dependent upon the nature of the changes which have 

 taken place in the secretion. The catalase content is almost always increased 

 in both the mixed milk and the milk obtained from the inflamed quarter. Such 

 milk is usually alkaline. The reductase reaction ( Schardinger's enzym) in the 

 first stages of mastitis is present in either a normal or an increased amount, so 

 it is, therefore, without value for detecting mastitic animals. Oxidase, peroxi- 

 dase, and diastase tests are also of no value for this purpose. 



Contagious vaginitis in cows, P. Stazzi (Vet. Jour., 68 (1912), No. 440, 

 pp. 83-88). — The following measures are recommended by the author, who was 

 commissioned by the Italian minister of the interior to investigate and report 

 on this disease, which is of great importance in Italy as well as elsewhere. 



" Provide open pasturage for all cows, especially for those whose conception 

 is tardy. Wash frequently the flanks, tails, and feet of cattle with soap and 

 soda. Cleanse and disinfect weekly with boiling soapsuds or lime wash all 

 stalls, harness, etc. Disinfect the genital organs of bulls before and after 



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