612 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The life history of this parasite is unknown, and no special precautions can there- 

 fore be recommended preventing infestation by it except the general observance of 

 sanitary conditions about poultry houses. The parasite is carefully described. Infec- 

 tion experiments with eggs containing embryos which were placed in the eyes of 

 young fowls gave negative results. A general review is presented of nematode worms 

 which are parasitic in the eyes of birds. 



In a discussion of the spiny-suckered tapeworms of chickens 2 species are recog- 

 nized and distinguished in place of the one species which has previously been 

 recognized. Of these 2 species Davainea echinobothrida is of considerable economic 

 importance and causes the nodular disease of the intestines in fowls, while the other 

 species, D. tetragona, produces no apparent lesions. 



The diseases of fowls {Rev. Agr. Reunion, 9 (1903), No. 9, pp. 331-336).— A brief 

 account is presented of unsanitary conditions which may predispose fowls toward 

 infection with various diseases. Particular attention is given in the article to roup, 

 cholera, diarrhea, etc. 



Fowl cholera, A. J. Carbajal (Mem. y Rev. Soc. dent. "Antonio Alzate," 19 

 (1903), No. 8-10, pp. 213-211, pi. 1). — An outbreak of this disease was studied in the 

 town of Tacuba. The disease attacked common fowls, geese, and turkeys, and 

 occurred in an exceedingly virulent form. The organism was isolated and tested by 

 means of inoculation experiments. It was found to be identical with that described 

 by European authors. The organism proved to be pathogenic for pigeons. 



Rabies toxin, P. Remlinger (Compt. Rend. Soc. Biol. [Paris'], 56 (1904), No. 8, 

 pp. 346-350). — A study was made of rabies virus by means of artificial inoculation 

 combined with careful observation of the clinical symptoms thus produced. The 

 author suggests as a possibility that the ultra-microscopic organisms of rabies may 

 possess an intracellular toxin. Several facts observed in the course of the author's 

 studies are mentioned as favoring the assumption of the existence of a rabies toxin. 



Investigations on strong esterdermasan, F. Haan (Monatsh. Prakt. Tierlt., 15 

 (1904), No. 11, pp. 481-512). — This drug is described as a soap preparation containing 

 from 12 to 24 per cent free salicylic acid and its esters. A number of experiments 

 were carried out by the author in treating various diseases of domesticated animals 

 and in testing the effect of the drug upon healthy animals. It appears that strong 

 esterdermasan may be used as a local resorbent, anesthetic, and antirheumatic rem- 

 edy. It appears to be of considerable value in the treatment of purulent dermatitis, 

 phlegmons, and mastitis of cows. Spavin and arthritis in horses may also be bene- 

 ficially treated with this drug. 



AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING. 



Improved methods of irrigation (Jour. Columbus TTort. Soc, 19 (1904), No. 3, 

 pp. 112-114). — A brief note on two systems of irrigation by sprinkling which are 

 being tested by the Ohio Experiment Station. 



The possibilities of irrigation in Germany (Arb. Deut. Landw. Gesell., 1904, 

 No. 97, pp. 75, Jigs. 12). — This is a series of addresses and papers before the farm cul- 

 ture section of the German Agricultural Society, containing discussions of various 

 phases of this subject, in which free use is made of the results obtained in the work 

 of the irrigation and drainage investigations of this Office. 



How can the productiveness of lands subject to periodic droughts, such 

 as light soils of North Germany, be assured and increased by means of 

 irrigation? Backhaus and J. Gyarfas (Illus. Landw. Ztg., 24 (1904) , No. 85, pp. 963- 

 986, figs. 30). — A prize essay making free use of the matter and illustrations of the 

 publications of the irrigation and drainage investigations of this Office. 



The irrigation of vineyards near Beaucaire, J. Farcy (Jour. Agr. Prat., 

 n. ser., 8 (1904), No. 46, pp. -639-643, Jigs. 4). — A system of irrigation by means of 

 pumped water is described. 



