498 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



virulent tu])erck' Itacilli. An examination was made of 13 meat inspectors' knives, 

 and 10 of these, or 76.59 per cent, were contaminated with the tubercle bacillus. A 

 similar examination was made of 9 butchers' knives, showing that 3 were infected. 

 In experiments to determine the best method of preventing infection by these means 

 it was found that the tubercle bacilli on the knives of meat inspectors and butchers 

 could be readily destroyed by placing these instruments in a 2 per cent solution of 

 soda at a boiling temperature. 



Preliminary report on the use of blackleg vaccine in Virginia, E. P. Niles 

 ( Virginia Sta. Bui. l^S, pp. 31-37).— The station has been distributing blackleg vac- 

 cine since 1898, and the reports received from stock owners indicate that the losses 

 among cattle before the use of vaccine amounted to 11.07 per cent, while after vac- 

 cination the losses average 0.89 per cent. The disease appears to be on the increase 

 in Virginia but it is lielieved that it could be checked by concerted action. 



Irrigation of the organism in experimental infection of tetanus, C. Tox- 

 ziG {Pub. l«t. Vnir. Padova, 2 {1902), VI, pp. 11; exir. jrom Riforma Med., 17 {1901), 

 jVb. i05).— The author conducted a number of experiments in the treatment of 

 tetanus. It was found that no hope can be entertained for favorable results in the 

 treatment of tetanus by peritoneal irrigation of the affected animal with a physiolog- 

 ical salt solution. During these experiments it was shown that the tetanus virus 

 does not operate in the circulation but becomes fixed in the histological elements. 



Traumatic tetanus in horses, C. Eggmann {Schireiz. Ardi. Tierh., 44 {1902), 

 No. 1, pp. 26-29) . — Detailed notes are given on the treatment of a severe case of 

 tetanus in a horse. During the treatment the horse received 70 cc. of antitetanus 

 serum, 70 cc. carbolic-acid solution subcutaneously, 190 gm. chloral hydrate per rec- 

 tum, and 1 gm. of morphin in 2 doses. The antitetanus serum did not check the 

 development of the violent symptoms, nor could these be controlled by the other 

 remedies. The horse died on the third day after the appearance of the disease. 



The production of toxoids in cultures of tetanus bacilli, A. Bonome ( Centhl. 

 Bakt. u. Par., 1. Aht., 31 [1902), No. 15, Orig., pp. 777-781).— An attempt was made 

 by the author to determine by culture experiments the changes undergone by the 

 toxin of tetanus bacillus on culture media. It was found that a rapid alteration of 

 the toxin may take place in artificial cultures. The modified toxin is called toxoid. 

 It was found that the filtrate from a culture of Bacterium coli exercised a decided 

 influence upon tetanus bacillus and its product, when the latter was exposed to its 

 action for a half hour at a temperature of 80° C, or for a few minutes at a tempera- 

 ture of 100° C. It is believed that the facts thus brought to light may be of impor- 

 tance in producing immunization in animals which are especially susceptible. 



Intracerebral injection of antitetanin for the cure of tetanus in the horse, 

 S. ViLLAR (Jour. Coinp. Patli. and Tlwv., 14 {1901), No. 4, PP- 371, 372).— The. author 

 describes 2 cases of tetanus in the horse treated by means of intracerebral injections 

 of antitetanin. The symptoms became more favorable within a few hours after the 

 injection, and recovery took place in both cases within about 3 weeks. In 1 case 

 3 cc. of pure antitetanin and in the other 8 cc. were administered. 



Investigations on the nature of tetanus toxin, H. Hayashi {Arch. Exper. 

 Path. u. PharmakoL, 47 {1901), No. 1-2, pp. 9-18). — As a result of the author's studies 

 it was found that the toxin isolated from cultures of the tetanus bacillus according to 

 the method of Brieger and Boer shows an evident protein reaction. The toxin, 

 therefore, belongs to this group of chemical bodies. It is partly precipitated in a 

 saturated solution of magnesium sulphate. When precipitated with absolute alcohol 

 no alteration of the physical or toxic properties of the toxin were produced. It was 

 found also that the tetanus bacillus would not grow on a medium which does not 

 contain protein. 



Actinobacillosis, J. Lignieees and J. Spitz {Actinobacillose. Buenos Ayres: Coni 

 Bros., 190 J, pp. 108, pis. 9; extr. from Rev. Soc. Med. Argentina). — The authors have 



