628 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



or coccidia, bacteriological parasites, and reagents. In a supplementary appendix 

 are given extracts from the report of the Royal Vaccination Commission for 1896. 

 The distinctive features of various pathogenic bacteria and their cultures are brought 

 out in colors. The contagious diseases of animals are treated, and the most stringent 

 measures insisted upon in combating them. The carcasses of animals that have 

 died of anthrax, for instance, should, one is told, be buried deep and with a liberal 

 use of lime in and around the hole. The spot where the animal died should be 

 sprinkled with lime and fenced off for some time. The carcass should by no means 

 be allowed to get into a stream. 



In discussing tuberculosis, the congenital transmission of the disease is insisted on 

 in a way that would lead one to infer that such transmission is more common than 

 American and Russian experiments indicate. But no experimental evidence is cited. 



Studies of lactic acid yeasts, J. Effront (Alkohol, 7 (1S97), Xo. 18, pp. 276, 277). 



Influence of certain conditions of artificial media upon individual variation, 

 J. Kunstler {Bee. Sci. [Paris'], 4. ser., 7 (1S97), Xo. 25, pp. 771-774). 



Concerning a soluble enzym in the cells of barley (Ztschr. Physiol. Chem., 23 

 Xo. 2, pp. 175-208). 



A new method of sterilization by heat under pressure, "W. Kuhn (Compt. Rend. 

 Acad. Sci. Paris, 124 (1897), Xo. 9, pp. 470, 471). 



A simple method of preparing nutrient agar, H. B. Sheffield (Merck's Rpt., 6 

 (1897), Xo.24,p. 762). 



Paraffin sectioning technique, F. Blochmann (Ztschr. Wiss. Micros., 14 (1897), 

 Xo. 2, pp. 189-195, fuj. 1). 



A process for rapid microscopical investigation of bacteria in cover-glass and 

 glass-slide preparations, I). RTschensky (Centbl. Bakt. u. Par., 1. AM., 21 (1897), 

 No. ::-:■'•, pp. 876, 877). — A drop of pure culture is placed in a drop of weak carbol- 

 fwhsin (10 drops in 10 cc. water) on a cover glass and fixed, stained, and dried at the 

 same time in the flame of a lamp. All 3 processes thus combined require only a few 

 seconds. When dealing with bacteria in feces aud urinal sediment, it will be found 

 better, it is said, if with the carbol-fuchsin au alcoholic solution of methylene blue 

 be mixed. 



On a special procedure for staining bacteria in cover-glass preparations and 

 in sections, W. Semenowicz and E. Marzixowsky (Centbl. Bakt. u. Par.,1. AM., 21 

 (1897), Xo. '.'.'-22, j>p. S74-S76). — In cover-glass preparations the cover glass is left for 

 2 minutes in carbol-fuchsiu, consistiug of the ordinary concentrated solution diluted 

 to one-half with water. It is then washed in water and afterwards stained for 3 to 4 

 minutes with Loeftler's methylene blue. Sections are allowed to remain in the car- 

 bol-fuchsin 4 to 5 minutes, and for the same length of time in methylene blue. The 

 preparations are then in both cases mounted in Canada balsam by the usual methods. 

 The bacteria stand out strongly in the preparations as bine objects on a red or rosy 

 background. The essential usefulness of the method is thought to lie in the fact 

 that the methylene blue causes a change in the carbol-fuchsin, appearing in the 

 nuclei and bacteria sooner than in the cytoplasm of the cells or in the connective 

 tissues. As methylene blue does not act so alone, it appears that the carbol-fuchsin 

 has the action of a mordant. But if the carbol-fuchsin be replaced by 5 per cent 

 carbolic acid, and specimens treated for 5 minutes therein, the bacteria and nuclei 

 become more deeply stained than by methylene blue alone. But a good staining 

 may be obtained with carbol-fuchsin. Hence the author thinks that it is the fuchsin 

 that acts as a mordant. 



Chemical disinfection, A. Gawalowski (Ztschr. Xahr. Untcrsuch. u. Hyy., 11 (1897), 

 Xo. 14, p. 233). — A table is given showing the relative value of a number of sub- 

 stances as deodorants, disinfectants, and antiseptics. 



A method of staining flagella, D. McCrorie (Tnternat. Jour. Micros, and Nat. 

 Sci., 3. ser., 7 (1897), Xo. 35, pp. 212, 213).— The objects are stained iu a mixture com- 

 posed of concentrated alcoholic solution of "night blue"' 10 cc, 10 per cent solution 



