284 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.38 



The results indicate tliat in determining the toxicity coefRcient of coal-tar 

 disinfectants at least five mice should be used on each dose. Male mice were 

 roughly 20 per cent more susceptible to the coal-tar disinfectants than females. 



The transmission of antibodies (agglutinins and complement-fixing) from 

 mother to fetus in utero, I. F. Huddleson (Cornell Vet., 7 {1917), A'o. 4. PP- 

 2S/f-291). — The investigation reported deals with a comparison of the blood 

 reaction of aborted fetuses and their respective dams, pregnant cows and their 

 fetuses, and new-born calves and their respective dams. The technique used in 

 the study was that previously described by the author (E. S. R., 37, p. 79). 



The results show that there is no relation between the bacterial antibodies 

 produced in the blood of the dam and that of the aborted fetus, fetuses taken 

 from pregnant cows, and new-born calves. It appears that the agglutinins and 

 complement-fixing bodies are not transmitted from mother to fetus in utero. 

 " If there is a resistance to an infection conferred to the offspring born of an 

 immune mother, this resistance can not be detected by means of the aggluti- 

 nation and complement-fixation tests when applied to the blood of the offspring." 



Differentiation of the paratyphoid-enteritidis group, II, E. O. Joedan and 

 Ruth Victokson (Joiir. Infect. Diseases, 21 (1917), No. 6, pp. 554, 555). — In 

 continuation of the work previously noted (E. S. R., 37, p. 275) the authors find 

 that in lead acetate agar "all typical paratyphoid A strains fail to blacken the 

 medium in from 18 to 24 hours. All strains of B. enieritidis give a positive 

 reaction. The great majority of B. paratyphosus B strains give a consistently 

 positive reaction while all B. suipestifer strains are negative. Five strains of 

 porcine origin, belonging to the B. paratyphosus B type, are not constant in 

 their reactions, but these are the same strains that in the [senior author's] 

 earlier study have been found variable and irregular in other respects." 



Conglutination test for the diagnosis of glanders, H. W. Schoening (U. S. 

 Dept. Agr., Jour. Agr. Research, 11 (1917), No. 3, pp. 65-75). — The author 

 briefly reviews the literature and describes the technique of the conglutina- 

 tion test, as used in the work reported, in detail. The technique used was sim- 

 ilar to that reported by Pfeiler and Weber.* 



In a comparative study of 341 samples of horse serum, 137 were positive, 

 190 negative, and 14 doubtful, to the complement fixation test ; while 150 

 were positive, 182 negative, and 9 doubtful, to the conglutination test. Post- 

 mortem data were not obtained from all the cases, but those samples in which 

 positive results were obtained to both tests were, in the majority of cases, 

 from animals which yielded a positive or suspicious reaction to the ophthalmic 

 mallein test or were undoubtedly affected with glanders. 



Of 115 samples of mule serum, 32 reacted positively, 63 negatively, and 20 

 were doubtful, to the complement fixation test ; while 51 were positive, 63 

 negative, and 1 doubtful, to the conglutination test. 



The conglutination test for glanders is considered a specific complement 

 deviation reaction. Since the test is more sensitive than complement fixation, 

 absolute accuracy in the technique, both qualitatively and quantitatively, is 

 necessary to obtain reliable results. The test is considered to be superior to 

 the complement-fixation test for the testing of imile sera and horse sera 

 possessing nonspecific complement-fixing bodies. Since no single test is infal- 

 lible, the conglutination test should be used in conjunction with the comple- 

 ment fixation and agglutination tests. 



The summarized data are submitted in tabular form. 



The glycerin bouillon reaction curve of tubercle bacilli as recorded by the 

 Bovie potentiometer, L. Fkothingham (Jour. Med. Research, 37 (1917), No. 2, 



iMltt. Kaiser Wilhelms Inst. Landw. Bromberg, 5 (1913), No. 4, pp. 255-262. 



