VETERINARY SCIENCE AND PRACTICE. 707 



Attention is called to the behavior of alexins toward heat, light, and other natural 

 agencies and the effect of this influence upon the 2 bodies in normal rat serum is 

 discussed. As a result of the author's study of these substances it is concluded that 

 neither one possesses the properties usually recognized as characteristic of true 

 alexins. 



The relation between the formation of hemolysin and the agglutina- 

 bility of staphylococci, Kutscher and F. Konricu (Ztschr. Hyg. u. Tnfeclionskrank., 

 48 (1904), No. 2, pp. 249-268). — During the authors' investigations of this problem, 

 57 races of staphylococci were studied. The origin of the staphylococci and their 

 behavior on various nutrient media are shown in tabular form, together with numer- 

 ous data regarding agglutination and the formation of hemolysin. 



It appears that pathogenic staphylococci may be agglutinated by very dilute 

 solutions of specific sera. In this manner the cultures may be readily identified. 

 Saprophytic staphylococci may also be agglutinated in a similar manner, but not by 

 so minute solutions of the specific sera. Between certain races of staphylococci the 

 power of mutual agglutination exists. True pathogenic staphylococci produce the 

 hemolysin without exception. This power, however, is apparently not possessed by 

 the saprophytic forms. 



The hemolytic power of blood serum as compared with that of lymph, 

 F. Battelli (Compt. Rend. Soc. Biol. [Paris}, 56 (1904), No. 5, pp. 199-201).— In the 

 experiments reported by the author it was found that the hemolytic power of the 

 blood serum in dogs and that of the lymph as obtained from the thoracic duct stood 

 in the ratio of 11 to 7. The lymph obtained from the extremities appears to possess 

 a weaker hemolytic power than that of the duct. The hemolytic alexin apparently 

 comes from the large mononuclear cells. The small lymphocytes either do not pro- 

 duce the alexin at all or only in small quantities. 



Invisible micro-organisms, M. Dorset ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Animal 

 Industry Rpt. 1903, pp. 139-156; Circ. 57, pp. 139-156). — The author discusses the 

 recent results obtained from an investigation of infectious diseases of which the 

 micro-organisms are ultramicroscopic or at any rate unknown. These diseases 

 include foot-and-mouth disease, pleuro-pneumonia, horse sickness of South Africa, 

 bird pest or fowl plague, sheep pox, rinderpest, rabies, epithelioma cortagiosum, 

 etc. A bibliography of the subject is appended to the article. 



Veterinary notes, Grav et al. (RhodesianAgr. Jour., 2 (1904), No. 1, pp. 8-18). — 

 Brief notes are given on the present status of the problem of African coast fever. 

 Dr. Koch's method of immunization against this disease has proved unsatisfactory 

 in practice, and the author recommends, therefore, that more attention be given to 

 suspension of the movements of cattle so far as possible, fencing, and systematic 

 dipping. 



Notes are presented on the symptoms, pathological anatomy, and treatment of 

 biliary fever in horses. At the recent intercolonial veterinary conference at which 

 the different South African colonies were represented, resolutions were adopted 

 regarding the treatment of African coast fever, Texas fever, tuberculosis, glanders, 

 hog cholera, foot-and-mouth disease, sheep scab, anthrax, etc. 



A conference of delegates from various farmers' associations met at Salisbury, June 

 11, 1904, to discuss the question of suspending all cattle movements for a period of 

 12 months for the purpose of eradicating African coast fever. The resolution finally 

 adopted declares that any measure instituted for the purpose of eradicating this dis- 

 ease should not be made applicable to Rhodesia as a whole, but should vary for the 

 different fiscal districts. 



Abortion, M. H. Reynolds ( Amer. Vet. Rev., 27 (1904), No. 11, pp. 1062-1070).— 

 The author undertook the collection of statistics regarding the conditions which pre- 

 dispose to this disease in cows and also regarding the symptoms and course of the 



