178 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. [Vol.30 



The use of sugar as a dressing in veterinai'y surgeiT? G. Bussano {Clin. 

 Vet. [Milan], Euss. Pol. ^anit. e I'j., 38 {1915), Nos. 19, i>p. 165-185; 20, pp. 

 810-816; 21, pp. 829-8^^+^, pis. 1 ; abs. in Inlernat. Inst. Agr. [Rome]. Internet. 

 Rev. Sci. and Praet. Ayr.. 1 {1916), No. 2, pp. 231-2.19).— The literatiire on the 

 use of sugar in surgery and its physiological properties is briefly reviewed, and 

 experiments are described in whiclx cane sugar or glucose was applied to 

 sutured or other wounds, especially in operations on the feet. In some experi- 

 ments solutions of glucose were injected intraperitoueally, subcutaneously, and 

 into the joint cavities, trachea, and jugular vein. Horses and mules were used 

 in the experiments described. 



The results obtairied indicate that glucose (5 to 10 per cent) injected sub- 

 cutaneously, intraperitoueally, and into the joints is absorbed in a short time 

 without any disturbance other than a slight rise in temperature. IMore con- 

 centrated solutions (25 'jqv cent) at a temperature of from 29 to 30° C. may 

 be injected into the ' . nchea or jugular vein with the double advantage of being 

 more rapidly absorbed and easily tolerated. Amounts of from 500 to 1,000 cc. 

 may be injected daily without any functional disturbance, and by repeating 

 tlie injection for several days a considerable improvement in the general condi- 

 tion of the animal is obtained. Powdered sugar applied to any wound acts as 

 an absorbent antiseptic, and at the same time stimulates the nutrition of the 

 tissues by the formation of a granular layer and rapid healing. When applied 

 directly on sutured wounds it protects them from possible infection by initiat- 

 ing rapid healing. In foot operations accompanied by more or less considerable 

 loss of tissue, and especially in the partial or total separation of the hoof, 

 dressings of sugar rapidly cleanse the wound and promote a rapid growth of 

 horny tissue. The deodorizing property of sugar also makes it valuable as a 

 dressing. The formation of pus seldom occurs, even with moderately dilute 

 solutions. "NMien applied to a discharging or suppurating wound the discharge 

 rapidly diminishes, and ceases with successive applications. 



Although successful results were obtained with bath cane sugar and glucose 

 the author recommends the latter for various reasons. Because of its ab- 

 sorbent, antiseptic, and healing properties, and also its low price, sugar is 

 deemed to constitute a dressing of the first order. 



Colloidal chemistry and immunology, M. vox Kbogh {Jour. Infect. Diseases, 

 19 {1916), Xo. 3, pp. 452-411, flffS. i^).— This is a theoretical discussion of the 

 relations between colloidal chemistry and immunology, from which the general 

 conclusion is drawn that colloidal chemistry is an important factor in immu- 

 nology, but only one of several. "As an isolated method it does not explain 

 anything at all. but as a help to disentangle the complicated processes con- 

 cerned it may be of immense service." 



An improved method for the concentration of antitoxic sera, Annie Homeb 

 {Jour. Hyy. [Cambridge], 15 {1916), No. 3. pp. 388-400).— The following tech- 

 nique is outlined: 



To the serum or plasma diluted with one-third or one-fifth its volume of 

 water sodium chlorid is added to a concentration of from 1.5 to 2 per cent. 

 The material is heated to a temperature of from 56 to 57° C. for 15 hours, or 

 to from 57 to 58° for 8 hours. The heated plasma is made SO per cent of 

 saturation with ammonium sulphate, and the mixture heated to and kept at 

 a temperature of 61° for a few minutes. It is then cooled to from 40 to 45° 

 and filtered, the precipitate is washed with 33 per cent of saturation with am- 

 monium sulphate, the washings, after being filtered, are added to the main 

 bulk of the filtrate which is then saturated 50 per cent with ammonium sul- 

 phate, and the resulting precipitate is filtered off, pressed, and dialyzed. The 

 pressed precipitate has a yellowish color as distinct from the bluish-green color 



