920 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



It was found that the more rapid agglutination of the typhoid bacilli at a tempera- 

 ture of 55° C. depends apparently upon the cooperation of the agglutinable substance 

 and the agglutinin, and is therefore to be considered as a reaction winch occurs more 

 rapidly at high temperatures. Notes are also given on the effect of gelatin in agglu- 

 tinating typhoid bacilli. It was found that the gelatin exercises some effect upon 

 the bacilli whether or not they had been previously heated. 



The properties of complement and the chemical theories of immunity, J. 

 Bordet (Ann. Inst. Pasteur, 18 (1904), No. 10, pp. 593-632). — The author presents a 

 general review of this subject, in which the different theories relating to immunity 

 are discussed. 



A series of experimental studies was carried out for the purpose of obtaining fur- 

 ther information regarding the nature of complements and other bodies in the sera 

 of normal and immunized animals. It was found that the red blood corpuscles, after 

 treatment with appropriate hemolytic sera from another species of animals, lose their 

 susceptibility to alexin if they are brought in contact with the antagonistic serum. 



When obtaining an antiserum capable of neutralizing the specific complements in 

 the serum of a given species, it is not strictly necessary to inject these specific com- 

 plements into the animal, but the injection of the normal serum of another species 

 suffices. It is concluded that the theory of Ehrlich is erroneous in so far as it 

 requires that the specific alexins are identical with the cell receptors against which 

 the organism is immunized. 



The formation of homologous and heterologous agglutinins in the animal 

 body, F. Ballner and R. von Sagasser (Arch. Hyg., 51 (1904), No. 3, pp. 245-265). — 

 For the purpose of obtaining immune sera, rabbits and dogs were used and these 

 animals were inoculated with various micro-organisms, including typhoid bacillus, 

 coli bacillus, anthrax bacillus, and organisms of tetanus, cholera, fowl cholera, swine 

 erysipelas, etc., as well as proteid substances. 



Detailed notes are given on the results of these experiments and the results are 

 compared with those obtained by other authors. It was found that in general the 

 agglutinating action of a blood serum is considerably more pronounced toward 

 the corresponding organism than toward an unrelated species. The more striking 

 the agglutinating power toward a certain micro-organism the more certain is the 

 diagnosis of the disease. The results obtained by serum diagnosis can not always 

 be depended upon, since occasionally they give false indications. As a rule, however, 

 this method is considered trustworthy. 



Immunization and its practical application, L. Van Es (Amer. Vet. Rer., 27 

 (1904), No. 12, pp. 1140-1153). — A brief discussion of the methods and value of 

 immunization in a number of diseases, including anthrax, black leg, contagious 

 pleuro-pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc. 



Note on a method of maintaining the virulence of a pathogenic micro- 

 organism, W. St. C. Symmers (Centbl. Bali. u. Par., 1. Abt., Orig., 37 (1904), No. 1, 

 pp. 23, 24). — The author's experiments were made on the bacillus of Asiatic cholera, 

 but are believed to be applicable to other pathogenic organisms. The method con- 

 sists essentially in greatly increasing the virulence of the organism by repeated 

 passage through guinea pigs, after which the virulence may be maintained with a 

 gradual diminution in agar cultures without necessitating the constant reinoculation 

 of experimental animals. 



Some common diseases of stock, C. F. Dawson (Florida Farmer*' Inst. Bui. 2, 

 pp. 77-97). — Notes are given on the symptoms, pathological anatomy, distribution, 

 and treatment of salt sickness, contagious sore eye, milk fever, garget, scours, colic 

 in horses, and diseases of pigs and dogs. 



Report of the chief inspector of stock, J. R. Weir (Jour. Dept. Agr. Victoria, 2 

 (1904), No. 9, pp. 860-872). — Brief notes on the diseases of cattle, sheep, and hogs 

 observed in various parts of Victoria, together with special reports on the sanitary 

 conditions which prevail in different districts of the colony. 



