VETEEIlSrAKY SCIENCE AND PRACTICE. 921 



Poisoning- of cattle by common sorghum and Kafir corn, A. T. Peters and 

 S. AxERY {Xchra.^la Sta. Bid. 77, j>j>. io').— Part of the work reported in this bulletin 

 has already been referred to (E. S. R., 14, p. 298). A chemical study of sorghum 

 and Kafir corn indicates that the prussic acid is not present as such but is set free 

 from a glucosid by an enzym in the plant, or artificially by sul)jection to boiling 

 water. Experiments made for the purpose of determining the effect of drying upon 

 the presence of prussic acid gave evidence that the prussit' ai-id is dissipated during 

 the process of drying. Antidotes for poisoning by prussic acid mentioned by the 

 authors include glucose, large quantities of milk, and plenty of fresh air. Further 

 studies will be made to determine more definitely the conditions under which prussic 

 acid is formed and also with regard to the effect of drying and the aihninistration of 

 antidotes. 



Prussic acid in sorghum, H. B. Sl.\de {Jour. Amer. Cheui. S'or., ^.'> {1903), No. 

 1, pp. 55-59). — An outline of the chemical investigations on the poisonous princi- 

 ples of sorghum at the Nebraska Station. In 2 samples of sorghum 0.013 and 0.014 

 per cent of prussic aci(»l was found. The author notes a great variation in the 

 amount of prussic acid in different samples of sorghum and believes that the acid 

 is produced in the plant b}^ the action of a glucosid. 



Phytolacca poison in cattle, G. E. AVhite {Jour. Com}). Med. and Vet. Arch., 

 j3 {1902), No. 7, pp. 4o9-44l)- — Five cattle out of a herd of 13 were badh' affected 

 with hemorrhagic enteritis accompanied with dysentery. An investigation of this 

 outbreak of disease disclosed the fact that the cattle had eaten large quantities of 

 Phytolacca and the author belie\'es that the trouble is to be ascribed to eating this 

 plant. 



Report on the mortality among cattle in the Northeastern District. AV. T. 

 Kendall {Jour. Dept. Agr. Victoria, 1 [1902) , Xo. 4,pp- 439-441 )■ — A serious outbreak of 

 disease having appeared among cattle, an investigation of the subject was made 1)y the 

 author. It was found that the mortality was about 75 per cent, and that the disease 

 occurred at all seasons of the year but chiefly during the summer months and in di-y 

 seasons. Notes are given on the chief symptoms and post-mortem findings. The 

 animals exhibited suspended rumination, inability to swallow, arched back, rough 

 coat, and d(!crease in the milk flow. It is believed that the disease is due to soil 

 exhaustion. The animals do not obtain sufficient phosphates and other necessary 

 materials from the poor A'egetation on the impoverished soils. It is recommended 

 in treating animals thus affected that bone meal, molasses, and linseed oil should be 

 given in the rations, together with phosphate of lime, salts of iron, and potash. 



Diseases of sheep, R. A. Craig and A. W. Bitting {Indiana Sta. Ihd. 94, pp. SS, 

 figs. 7?).— This bulletin contains brief discussions of the common diseases to wiiich 

 sheep are susceptible and constitutes a sort of handbook of sheep diseases. The 

 various diseases which are discussed are classified according to the organs affected or 

 according to the nature of the parasitic organisms. The subjects discussed are as 

 follows: Diseases of the digestive system, including sore mouth, depraved appetite, 

 tympanites, white scours, jaundice, and peritonitis; diseases of the urinary organs; 

 diseases of the respiratory organs, including catarrh, laryngitis, bronchitis, croupous 

 pneumonia, pleurisy, etc.; diseases of the circulatory system; diseases of the nervous 

 system, including encephalitis, cerebro-spinal meningitis, apoplexy, epilepsy, etc.; 

 diseases of the reproductive system, including abortion, mammitis, etc. ; diseases of 

 the eye, and various other infectious or general diseases, such as foot rot, arthritis, 

 malignant edema, rabies, sheep pox, blackleg, tuberculosis, tetanus, influenza, scab, 

 and the diseases caused by lung and stomach worms, tapeworms, flukes, etc. 



An experience with nodule disease of sheep, M. H. Reynolds {Amer. Vet. 

 Rev., 26 {1002), No. 5, pp. 416-419, fig. i).— An account is given of au extensive out- 

 break of this disease among sheep. The symptoms are described and notes are given 

 on the means of preventing the spread of the disease. Treatment is usually of no 



