380 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The action of tetanus bacilli and their toxins upon the alimentary tract, 

 M. Rabinowitch {Arch. Hiju.. Gl (1907), A"o. 2, pp. 103-150). — In experiments 

 with laboratory animals it is found that the gastric juice under normal condi- 

 tions destroys the virulence of tetanus bacilli and tetanus toxin, the latter being 

 affected more promptly. This action of the gastric juice is more efficient the 

 higher its content of common salt, A 1 per cent solutloh of normal hydro- 

 chloric acid will destroy the virulence of tetanus bacilli within 2 hours at a 

 temperature of 37° C. 



When tetanus bacilli are fed to rabbits and guinea pigs in large doses they do 

 not produce symptoms of tetanus, but the animals may be affected by a pi-o- 

 gressive marasmus which sometimes terminates fatally. In rabbits the intro- 

 duction of tetanus toxin into the stomach sometimes causes peculiar cerebral 

 symptoms. The presence of tetanus bacilli and tetanus toxin in the stomach 

 of animals may, therefore, be dangerous or even fatal, notwithstanding the fact 

 that the gastric juice exercises a vigorous action upon them. 



Infectious granular vaginitis of cattle; its treatment and prophylaxis, 

 H. Raebiger (Rev. Geii. Med. Vet., 9 (1901), No. 101, pp. 625-635; 108, pp. 

 689-691). — The continued prevalence of infectious granular vaginitis has ren- 

 dered necessary certain quarantine and therajieutic regulations in order to con- 

 trol the disease. It is recommended that no cow be introduced into a herd 

 without first subjecting her to a veterinary inspection for the possible jjresence 

 of the di.sease. In order to insure the further safety in herds where an out- 

 break of the disease has occurred, it is recommended that all bulls and cows 

 should receive proper antiseptic treatment. 



Vaccination against rinderpest by the combination method in 1906, 

 V. TvARYANovicH (Arcli. Vet. XaitJc [St. Peter.sb.]. 31 (1901). No. 3, pp. 211- 

 225). — During the maintenance of quarantine for rinderpest, vaccination ex- 

 periments were made on a number of bulls, cotvs, ;ind calves, using the com- 

 bination method of serum and virulent blood. The results obtained were very 

 satisfactory. It appeared that the method not only has a vaccinating effect, but 

 also exercises a curative effect in a certain percentage of cases. 



Ticks and tick fever conference (Queensland Agr. Jour., IS (1901), No. 6, 

 pp. 281-320). — A conference was held in Brisbane on May 7, 1907, at which 

 many representatives of scientific and agricultural organizations were present 

 for the purpose of discussing the status of Texas fever and the means for com- 

 bating it. It appears that the history of the disease in Queensland has been 

 very similar to that of its progress in the United States. 



The dip recommended for freeing cattle of ticks contains 8 lbs. of arsenic, 4 

 lbs. of caustic soda, 1 gal. of Stockholm tar, and 8 lbs. of tallow in 400 gals, of 

 water. Various modifications of this dip have also been tested. The problems 

 connected with the prevalence of Texas fever in Queensland are discussed from 

 various standpoints by C. J. Pound, R. S. Archer, C. J. Booker, S. Kelly, and 

 others. A resolution was adopted recommending compulsory dipping of cattle 

 in all tick-infested districts. It was also urged that a government subsidy be 

 granted to priyate dipping plants provided these are open to the public. 



A note on a new species of trypanosoma discovered in the blood of an 

 Indian bullock at Singapore, P. S. Falshaw and A. Lingard (Jour. Trop. 

 Vet. 8ci., 2 (1901), No. 2, pp. 211-220, pi. 1).—A zebu affected with a chronic 

 disease accompanied with fever was examined by the authors after the animal 

 had died from the disease. The blood obtained from the diseased animal was 

 inoculated into dogs without obtaining any infection. An examination of the 

 blood showed the presence of a very large trypanosome, parasites of Texas fever, 

 and a number of other protozoan organisms. A description is given of the 

 large species of trypanosome found, but no descriptive name is used. 



