70H EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



9 {1902), No. f, pp. 50-71, pis. 3). — The authors present detailed account of the 

 appearance, life history, and pathogenic action of 4 species of fungi which may cause 

 ringworm disease of dogs.N These species are Trychophyton caninum , EidameUa .spinosa, 

 a species of Microsporum, and Oospora canina. T. can irt xm is readily cultivated on the 

 ordinary nutrient media. The optimum temperature is 27 or 28° C. E. spinosa is 

 also easily cultivated and forms mycelia, perithecia, and chlamydospores. T. caninum 

 is pathogenic for dogs and guinea pigs, while E. spinosa, according to the authors' 

 experiments, was transmissible only to dogs. In these inoculation experiments the 

 artificial disease differed to some extent from cases of natural infection. 



Bothrioceplialus latus in cats, B. Galli-Yalerio {Ceutbl. Bakt. u. Par., 1. Abt., 

 32 {1902), Xo. 4, Orlg., pp. 2Sd-2S7). — The author discusses the literature relating 

 to the occurrence of this parasite in a cat. A number of doubtful cases have been 

 reported, but the author believes that his observations demonstrate clearly that the 

 species in question may occur in the cat. The economic bearing of this question is 

 not discussed. 



Death, of domesticated animals attributed to bacterial cultures used for 

 killing- mice {Izv. Min. Zem., 1 {1902), Xo. 14, 2>P- 296-298). — A number of cases of 

 death among animals were reported as possibly due to bacterial cultures which had 

 been distrilnited in the fields for the destruction of small rodents, especially mice. 

 An investigation of the matter was made and from 961 replies to a circular letter it 

 appears that there is no good evidence for supposing that Ijacterial cultures caused 

 the death of domesticated animals. Epizootics were rej^orted among cats, but the 

 same disease occurred in places where no bacterial cultures had l^een distributed. — 



p. FIREMAN. 



Fowl plague, E. Cextaxxi {Centhl. Bakt. ii. Par., l.Aht., 31 {1902), Xo. 4, Orig., 

 pp. 14,5-152; Xo. 5, Orig., 2)p. 182-201, Jigs. 2). — A general historical account is given 

 of the discovery and of outbreaks of this disease in various parts of Europe. The 

 name fowl plague is given to distingush it from fowl cholera, since investigations 

 which the author has made indicate that the 2 diseases are distinct. The clinical 

 symptoms are often not well marked, for the reason that the disease proves fatal 

 in so short a period that the symptoms are not observed. Affected fowls refuse to 

 take food and are rapidly overcome by extreme weakness and a tendency to sleep. 

 The comb frequently assumes a violet color. In fowls dead of this disease the 

 color of the skin is sometimes light and nearly normal, but often dark red and 

 spotted. The meat possesses a dark color, but otherwise shows no abnormal condi- 

 tions. Tl;2 liver, spleen, and kidneys are enlarged, of a yellowish color, and more 

 friable than in a normal condition. The pericardium is thickened and one of the 

 most constant symjatoms of the disease is a more or less marked pleuritis. The 

 blood of affected fowls is exceedingly virulent; experiments showed that fatal infec- 

 tion might be i)roduced by pricking the skin of healthy fowls with a needle which 

 had been dipped in virulent blood.. The disease ordinarily runs a fatal course in 

 about 3 days. Experiments were made to determine the extent to which the virus 

 would pass through various kinds of filters. In these experiments the Berkefeld and 

 Chamberland filters were used. It was found that the virus readily passed through 

 either of these filters and that the filtrate was virulent in minute doses. Detailed 

 notes are given on the behavior of the organism on various culture media. It was 

 found that the eggs from affected hens showed characteristic modifications. The 

 albumen was more fluid, and the yolk more friable, pale, and permeated with white 

 streaks. Such eggs were either absolutely infertile or produced embryos which died 

 before the end of the incubation period. In some cases sickly chickens were hatched 

 from them. Experiments indicated that the feces were infectious in chronic cases, 

 but probably not, or only slightly infectious, in acute cases. It was found that the 

 disease did not spread rapidly from one flock of fowls to another, except where 

 healthy birds came in actual contact with affected ones. The resistance of the 



