580 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



fed to white mice a mortality of more than 50 per cent resulted. At autopsies 

 organisms of the Grirtner and Fliigge types were isolated. None of either type, 

 however, could be isolated from meats obtained from the markets. 



In the second part of the work comparative studies of rat-destroying viruses 

 are reported. The bacilli of Danysz. Dunbar, and Isatscheuko, and of Ratin, 

 morphologically, culturally, and biologically could not be separated from the 

 Gartner type of B. cnteritidis. In the authors' opinions these agents should be 

 used with great care. 



The immunity of San Francisco rats to infection with Bacillus . pestis, 

 G. W. McCoy (Jour. Infect. Diseases, 6 (1909), No. 3, pp. 289-295).— The 

 author finds that a considerable immunity to plague infection exists among the 

 wild rats of San Francisco, the percentage of immunity being especially high 

 among the old rats. The immunity encountered is considered natural in most 

 cases and not acquired. 



Some remarks on the natural history and diseases of the rats of Perth and 

 Fremantle, Western Australia, J. B. Cleland (Jour. Trop. Yet. ScL, // (1909), 

 No. 2, pp. 26Ji-268). — Observations on the biology, diseases, and animal para- 

 sites of rats.. 



Insect flagellates, S. R. Christophers (Jour. Trop. Vet. 8ci., 4 (1909), No. 2, 

 pp. 228-232). — This is an account taken from the report of the King Institute 

 of Preventive IMedicine, Madras, for 1907. 



Note on the occurrence of a large flagellate, associated with piroplasmata 

 infection in a cow in British Columbia, T. Bowhill (Vet. Netrs, 190S. p. JflJ) ; 

 Jour. Trop. Vet. ScL, // (1909), No. 1, pp. IO4, 105, fig. J).— The piroplasma 

 which has been found in cases of a disease of cattle, locally known as red- 

 water, is said to occur mostly in pear-shaped and polygonal forms. The name 

 Piroplasma hudsonius bovis is suggested for the parasite. Infected animals 

 usually succumb after the third attack. Ticks have been collected from ani- 

 mals dead of the disease, but their role in its transmission has not been de- 

 termined. During the investigation a flagellate was found. Endocorpuscular 

 parasites were also found in the blood of a squirrel. 



Remarks on piroplasmosis, E. Martini (Philippine Jour. Sci., B. Med. Sci., 

 Ji {J 909), No. 2, pp. 121-123, pi. 1).— The author states that at least one, and 

 perhaps more, varieties of Piroplasma exist in eastern Asia, and that he has 

 recently discovered a Piroplasma in calves in Manila. 



Further notes on Piroplasma mutans, A. Theiler (Jour. Compar. Path, and 

 Ther., 22 (1909), No. 2, pp. ii5-i33).— Experiments are reported which show 

 that P. mutans is a distinct species. 



" The tests to prove the absence of immunity against the P. higemvnnm in- 

 fection succeeded in every instance. P. mutans does not protect against a sub- 

 sequent inoculation of P. higeminum, and this fact should give the final proof 

 that P. mutans has to be considered as a distinct species. No mortality oc- 

 curred amongst 25 animals injected with P. mutans pure. In some recent 

 publications mention has been made of small piroplasms — usually found in 

 connection with other diseases — which have been identified as P. parvum. 

 This is decidedly incorrect, as these small piroplasms are described as inocu- 

 lable, whereas, as has been frequently proved, P. parvum is not. It has, 

 therefore, to be concluded that these piroplasms are probably P. mutans, or, 

 in any case, belong to the same species." 



The position of Spirochaeta, R. Gonder (Centbl. Bakt. [etc.], 1. AM., Orig., 

 49 (1909), No. 2, pp. 190-196, pis. 2).— The author concludes that the spi- 

 rochetes should be regarded as a special order in the group of flagellata near 

 the trypanosomes. Notes on Spirochwta pinnw are coutributea. 



