1Y8 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The poison weed problem in the arid West, G. H. Glover {Amer. Vet. Rev., 

 S'f {1909), yo. ./, PI). .'i93-502. fi(js. 3). — This is considered the greatest problem 

 with which stockmen have to deal in the arid region. Attention is called to 

 the many obstacles to be met with in poisonous plant investigation. It is 

 shown that some animals are more susceptible than others, that some plants 

 are poisonous only at certain stages of growth, and that there are variations 

 in the poison content of the plants according to the season, climate, etc. 



Some cases of diabetes in animals, Bbu {Rev. V^t. [Toulouse], 33 {190S), 

 No. 10, pji. G19-6.lJi). — Two cases in cows and 3 in dogs are reported. 



Some properties of tubercle bacillus cultivated on bile, H. Calmette and 



C. GuERiN {Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 17/7 {1908), No. 26, pp. 1456- 

 l.'/59). — The authors found that experiments with tubercle bacilli in which 

 cultures in glycerin media (gelatin, potato, and bouillon) were used gave dif- 

 ferent results than those from natural infection such as infectious produced by 

 the ingestion or .injection of milk or finely divided tuberculous organs. They 

 also found the bacillus to grow perfectly on pure bile with 5 per cent of 

 glycerin (sterilized), and that after several successive cultures on this medium 

 it acquires very distinct physiological characters. Details are given of the mode 

 of working and of the appearance and properties of the bacillus thus obtained. 

 It is readily absorbed through the wall of the digestive tract and Avhen it has 

 penetrated in suthcieut quantity in this way it can produce lesions with rapid 

 calcification such as could never be obtained experimentally with cultures in 

 ordinary glycerin media. 



The conjunctival tuberculin reaction in cattle, K. Wolfel {Berlin. 

 Tierdrtztl. Wchnschr., 190S, No. 21, pp. 369-372). — The author briefly reviews 

 the work of others on the subject and reports in tabular form the results which 

 he has obtained from the application of the test to 16 cattle. He finds that not 

 all of the animals which react to the subcutaneous injection of tuberculin give 

 the conjunctival test. The subcutaneous injection of tuberculin does not have 

 any important influence upon the following conjunctival reaction. The best 

 time for the observation is from 12 to 18 hours after the introduction of 

 tuberculin. There was no elevation in temperature as the result of the con- 

 junctival reaction. 



On the intradermal reaction to tuberculin in animals, G. Moussu and C. 

 Mantoux {Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], l.'il {1908), No. 11, pp. .502-504).— 

 The authors advocate a method of tuberculin testing which consists in inject- 

 ing a stated dose of tuberculin into the thickness of the skin. This has been 

 designated as the " intradermo " reaction. It is applicable to all the domestic 

 animals, and the indications of its positive results are readily perceived. The 

 injection has no effect upon healthy animals. The authors conclude that this 

 reaction is more simple, more practical, and less dangerous in its ulterior effects 

 than the subcutaneous test, of which, however, it preserves all the advantages. 

 It is free from the inconveniences and the possibilities of error which attend 

 the ophthalmic and the cuti reactions. For these reasons the authors think 

 that it should supplant the other methods. 



The value of tuberculin in the control of tuberculous herds, V. A. Mooke 

 {Amer. Yet. Rev., 34 {1909), No. 4, pp. .303-511). — A paper presented by the 

 author at the International Congr.ess on Tuberculosis; held at Washington, 



D. C, October, 1908. 



Data have been collected of tests made in New York State of 083 herds (12,721 

 animals). As there is a considerable oscillation of the morbid process between 

 an active and an arrested condition, it appears very necessary that cows from 

 infected herds be retested if they have failed to react. There is shown to be 



