88 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The action of urea on cultures of tubercle bacillus in bouillon and on 

 tuberculous guinea pigs, Ratpin {Cumjd. Bend. Hoc Biol. Baris, 53 {1001), No. 

 24, iq>. (M) 1-693). — In the experiments reported in this article the author added vari- 

 able proportions of uric acid, urate of soda and urea to flasks containing from 100 to 

 120 gm. of the bouillon ordinarily used in the culture of tul)ercle l)acillus. The pro- 

 portions of these different substances varied between 10 cgm. and 2 gm. to 100 or 120 

 gm. of the bacillus. In the numerous experiments which were made the results were 

 uniform. The action of the uric acid, even in strong doses, appears to be nil. The 

 flasks to wliich this substance was added showed a growth of the tubercle bacillus equal 

 to that of check Hasks. The same results were obtained in experiments with urate of 

 soda. The fact that the uric acid had no influence on the tul)ercle bacillus was at first 

 explained by the slow solubility of this substance, but urate of soda is readily solu- 

 ble. Quite different results were obtained in experiments with urea. Flasks con- 

 taining tubercle bacillus to which urea, even in small quantities, was added, showed 

 a slow and meager development as compared with check flasks. It is suggested tliat 

 the action of urea in these cases was similar to that of an antiseptic. 



Combating bovine tuberculosis, H. Raquet {L'Ing. Agr. Gembloux, 1^ {1901), 

 No. 4, pp. 187, ISS). — Brief notes on measures recently adopted in Gembloux for the 

 eradication of tuberculosis. The author recommends thorough application of the 

 tuberculin test in fighting this disease. 



Experimental plastic spinal meningitis caused by the toxin of the tubercle 

 bacillus, Akm.vnd-Delille {Cornpl. Bend. >Soc. Biol. Buris, 53 {1001), No. 31, 

 pp. SS5-S87).—A study was made of the influence of toxin obtained from an ether 

 extract of the tul)ercle bacillus and inoculated into the spinal cord. The experi- 

 mental animals were dogs. It was found that when the toxin was inoculated into 

 the membranes of the spinal cord a plastic inflammation of these membranes was set 

 up which, in its functional symptoms and anatomical lesions, resembles the course 

 of tuberculosis. During the autlior's experiments with this toxin anatomical 

 changes were produced similar to those observed by Auclair in the lungs. Further 

 experiments are iiromised with a chloroform extract. 



Anthrax, D. Pugh {Farmer^s Gaz., 60 {1901), No. 40, p. 734). — The symptoms 

 of anthrax in horses, sheep, cattle, and pigs are described. It is recommendeil tliat 

 as soon as an outbreak of the disease is noticed, the animals sliould be immediately 

 removed from the i)asture, in order to prevent its further contamination. The 

 necessity of destroying carcasses of animals dead of anthrax is urged. 



Recent work on blackleg, T. Kitt {MonatuJi. Braid. Thierli., 13 {I'.iOl), No. 4, 

 pp. 174-189, figs. S).- — The author presents a critical review of recent literature on 

 this sul)ject, in connection with bibliograpliical references to some of the important 

 contributions. 



Pathological histology and bacteriology of labial actinomycosis in cattle, 

 Z. F. Elenevs'ii {Ardi. Vet. Noitk, SI. Behi-d>iirg, 31 {1901), Nos. 9, pp. 793-813; 10, 

 pp. 873-896, ])ls. 3, figs 2). — The author reviews the literature on this subject in 

 great detail. Statistics were collected from various cities in Russia and other parts 

 of Europe showing the prevalence of actinomycosis during recent years, especially 

 since 1895. Particular attention is devoted to the study of the labial form of the 

 disease. The proportion of actinomycosis of the lips to the total number of cases 

 of actinomycosis in cattle was found to be as follows: In Moscow 37.9 per cent, in 

 Tiflis85.9 per cent, in Elisabetgrad 81.6 jier cent, in Nijui Novgorod 5.5 per cent, in 

 Ekaterinoslav 13.9. The pathological changes caused by infection (jf actinomycosis in 

 the lips are descril)ed in elaborate detail. Experiments were tried with the organism, 

 which was isolated, from actinomycotic tumors, and it was found that Avithin 

 15 days after inoculation in the mucus membrane of the lower lip, a tul)ercle 

 appeared and gradually increased in size until it became a large tumor at the end of 

 3 weeks. A careful study of the organism showed that it differed in many histolog- 



