296 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



virulent organisms through filters depends on the diameter of the pores of the filter, 

 the thickness of the walls, and the surface of the filter. In addition to the factors of 

 the problem which l)elong to the filter, the size of the organism, the nutrient medium, 

 the temperature, and pressure are to be considered. Experiments were made in fil- 

 tering the virus of rinderpest through a thin Berkefeld, a normal Berkefeld, and a 

 Chamberland filter. The filtrate which was obtained from a thin Berkefeld filter 

 proved to be inactive, of vaccinating power or virulent according to the conditions 

 under which the filtration was done. The filtrate from the normal Berkefeld filter 

 was likewise inactive, of vaccinating power or infectious according to circumstances, 

 but it was inactive in a much larger lunnber of cases than the filtrate from the thin 

 Berkefeld filter. The filtrate from the Chamberland filter was for the most part 

 inactive, rarely it had vaccinating power or was virulent. From these experiments 

 the authors conclude definitely that the organism of rinderpest may pass through 

 filters, but that the extent to which this occurs depends on a number of conditions. 



Modifications of the leucocytes in rinderpest, Repik-Bey {Ann. Imt. Pasteur, 

 16 {1902), Xo. 2, pp. 163-168, figs. 6). — An increase in the total number of leuco- 

 cytes is frequently observed during the early stages of the disease, but this is fol- 

 lowed by a diminution in the number, and another increase subsequently. The 

 first increase in numbers takes place on the second or third day, when there may be 

 as many as 18,200 per cubic millimeter. The number begins to decrease on the 

 fourth day, the minimum is reached on the fifth day, or occasionally on the fourth, 

 or even on the sixth or seventh. The lowest number observed was 2,000 per cubic 

 millimeter. The mononuclear leucocytes did not participate in the first increase in 

 the total number of the leucocytes. In half of the cases observed the number 

 remained lower than normal, while in the other half it was largely increased. The 

 polynuclear leucocytes reached a maximum during the first increase in the total 

 number of leucocytes. After vaccination with bile the fluctuation in the number of 

 leucocytes, which is characteristic of infection, disappears to a large extent. In ani- 

 mals vaccinated with serum followed by virus a temporary hyperleucocytosis was 

 observed. The fluctuation in the number of polynuclear leucocytes was much more 

 irregular than in the mononuclear. 



A contribution to the tuberculosis problem, K. Muller {/Aschr. Flrlf^ch. u. 

 Milchhyg., 12(1902), No. 5, pp. 129-132). — The author described in detail two cases of 

 tuberculosis in butchers who exhibited a good family history and robust health and 

 who had apparently contracted the disease in cuts and scratches while working with 

 tuberculous animals. The evidence in these two cases for the transmission of bovine 

 tuberculosis to man is considered by the author as quite conclusive. 



The prevention of bovine tuberculosis, H. R.\quet {U Ing. Agr. GemUoux, 12 

 {1902), Xo. 8, pp. 380-38S). — The author discusses in a general way the problems 

 involved in the reduction of tul)erculosis of cattle and especially of dairy cows. The 

 means recommended for controlling this disease may be summarized as follows: The 

 widest possible publication of the chief facts thus far established regarding the nature 

 and spread of the disease; the subordination of indemnities paid for tuberculous 

 animals to the strict enforcement of proper regulations for preventing contagion; 

 the compulsory pasteurization of cream and other milk products in all cooperative 

 creameries; the compulsory destruction of all the residues of centrifugal separation 

 of cream, by means of strong chemical reagents; and frequent inspection of dairies 

 by sanitary officers. 



How to get rid of tuberculosis in cattle, W. C. Edwards ( Wallaces' Farmer, 

 27 {1002), No. 19, p. 694).— A. discussion is presented of the problem of the tuberculin 

 test from a practical standpoint. It is argued that much opposition has been aroused 

 against the extensive use of the tuberculin test, from the fact that certain veterina- 

 rians at first advocated the wholesale destruction of all animals which reacted to the 

 test. Attention is again called to the fact that perfectly sound calves may be raised 



