3!)4 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



"Although the report is intended primarily for the use of the meat inspectors of 

 this Bureau, it will be found of general interest to all sanitarians, since it treats of 

 the communicability of certain parasites from animals to man, and suggests the 

 necessary methods of prevention and treatment therefor. The bulletin will serve a 

 useful purpose in disseminating knowledge of the precautions that are required to 

 eradicate certain of the most important parasites affecting domesticated animals in 

 this country — parasites which are a menace to the public health. There is no work 

 in the English language covering the subjects of which it treats." 



Iii describing the different animal parasites technical zoological 

 details have for the most part been omitted, stress being placed upon 

 the practical application of zoological knowledge to questions of public 

 hygiene. The authors call attention to the fact that the most important 

 parasites for American inspectors are the common liver fluke and the 

 large American fluke (which are a serious menace to live stock), beef 

 measles, pork measles, and Hydatids, all of which bear an important 

 relation to diseases in man. As noted, the Hydatid disease is compar- 

 atively rare iu this country, and methods should be taken at once to 

 prevent its spread. 



"By proper precautions at the abattoirs and slaughterhouses this dangerous para- 

 site can be totally eradicated from the country. If these precautious are not carried 

 out it will only be a question of time when this country will take its place with 

 Germany and Australia in respect to the number of human lives sacrificed to a 

 disease which has not yet gained much ground with us and can now be easily 

 controlled." 



A complete index adds to the value of the bulletin. 



Special investigation of the so called "new horse disease" in 

 Maryland, S. S. Buckley (Maryland Sta. Bid. 53, pp. 110-114). — The 

 author identified a so-called new horse disease prevailing to a consider- 

 able extent in Worcester County, Maryland, as cerebrospinal menin- 

 gitis. The disease is described, and information on its cause, treat- 

 ment, and prevention is summarized. 



"On the first appearance of this disease upon a farm a complete change should be 

 made in the food. All moldy grain or fodder should be rejected, and where pos- 

 sible wheat bran should form part of the ration. 



'• It is evident that in so severe and rapidly fatal a malady powerful agents must 

 be used. Proper nursing is necessary for success. Without it medicines avail but 

 little. Placing the animal in slings early acts very beneficially in preserving the 

 strength and increases the chances of recovery. When there is any considerable de- 

 gree of heat at the poll of the head we should resort to the constant application of 

 cold water, crushed ice, or some cooling lotion (nitrate of potash and acetate of am- 

 monium, each a teaspoonful to a gallon of water). Iu the early stages these tend to 

 check the flow of blood to the brain, and therefore reduce pressure upon it. Among 

 medicinal agents we have recourse to ergot, aconite, and belladonna. Nux vomica 

 and strychnin seem to be capable of producing desirable effects. As all of these 

 are extremely powerful and poisonous, they should be used where possible under the 

 supervision of a veterinarian, so that their effects may be watched and their omis- 

 sions ordered, if necessary. The appetite should be maintained with tempting 

 foods and drink. Purgatives and bleeding are to be avoided, as they seem to prove 

 disastrous after the symptoms have become fully established. When the crisis 

 has been passed and the animal begins to take nourishment tonics containing quinin 

 and nux vomica should be given." 



