508 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



of the intact intestinal wall in cases of general disease. Since, however, it is quite 

 rare to find an animal in perfect health, and since the slightest pathological lesion in 

 the animal organism, or even an insignificant mechanical injury to the mucous mem- 

 brane of the alimentary tract, may make possible the penetration of bacteria, these 

 facts must be considered of great practical significance. Apparently the organism 

 may receive some protection against the penetration of micro-organisms from the 

 mesenterial lymphatic glands. 



The formation of antitoxins, C. Brick (Ztschr. Hyg. u. Infectionskrank., 48 

 (190-j), No. 1, pp. 113-120). — The author's observations as reported in this article 

 were largely confined to a study of tetanus toxin and toxoid in the organism of 

 guinea pigs. 



The results of experiments with the tetanus toxin and toxoid are presented in a 

 detailed tabular form. From this study it appears that 3 stages may be recognized in 

 the formation of antitoxins. In the first stage the haptophor group is formed in 

 connection with the receptor. In the second stage there is an increased formation 

 of receptors corresponding to the appearance of the haptophor group, and in the 

 third stage the antitoxin proper appears as a result of a stimulus furnished by the 

 presence of the toxophor group. 



The validity of the law of multiple proportions in the reaction between 

 toxin and antitoxin, L. Michaelis (Biochem. Centbl., 3 (1904), No. 1, pp. 1-18). — 

 A careful study of the reaction between toxin and antitoxin indicates that the law of 

 multiple proportions as understood in chemical reactions can not be strictly applied 

 in this case. In all thoroughly investigated diseases a definite amount of antitoxin 

 is required to fix or neutralize a given amount of toxin. A definite combination of 

 toxin or antitoxin, however, does not take place readily, and for this reason variable 

 quantities of each remain disassociated for some time. 



Therapogen, W. Flatten (Berlin. Tierarztl. Wchnschr., 1904, No. 38, pp. 637,638).— 

 This is a new disinfectant which does not belong to the coal-tar series and therefore 

 does not have the disagreeable odor of these products. Therapogen mixes readily 

 with oils and does not injure metal instruments even when the latter are left in 20 

 percent solutions for a period of 2-1 hours. It was shown by experiments to be 

 strongly bactericidal for anthrax, glanders, typhoid, diphtheria bacilli, etc. 



Test of plants supposed to be poisonous, W. H. Hutt ( Utah Sin. R[>t. 1903, 

 pp. XXI, XXII). — Samples were collected of wild hay which was said to be poison- 

 ous to cattle. An exam nation of hay showed that 3 plants were quite common in 

 addition to grasses. These plants were Smilacina slellata, Equisetum arvense, and 

 Pastinaca sativa. Samples of these weeds were obtained and fed to sheep without 

 causing any poisonous effects to these animals. 



The prevention of contagious pleuro-pneumonia, Constant and Mesnard 

 (Eec. Med. Yet., 81 (1904), No. 17, pp. 552-563). — In previous experiments carried 

 out by the authors, the fact was established that accidents following preventive inocu- 

 lation for contagious pleuro-pneumonia usually depend upon the existence of a latent 

 infection in the inoculated animals. The latent infection appears to cause, in eon- 

 junction with the inoculation, a localization of the virus. The duration of immunity 

 produced by a single inoculation is at least 10$ months. 



Further observations and experiments along this line are reported in the present 

 paper. It was found that animals could be inoculated in the extremity of the tail 

 with a small quantity of a virulent culture without producing serious consequences. 

 Such inoculation, with doses of \ cc. under proper antiseptic precautions, produces 

 an immunity which exists for about 2 years. This method is recommended for 

 practical application in the prevention of pleuro-pneumonia. In outbreaks of this 

 disease the authors recommend the immediate destruction of infected animals and 

 the inoculation of all exposed animals. 



