96 EXPEKIMENT STATION KECORD. 



the report the author (lisousses pwine diseases, incUiding those of the alimentary tract, 

 nervous system, and respiratory passages, those caused by parasitic worms and arthro- 

 pods, and the more important infectious diseases, among which may be mentioned hog 

 cholera, swine plague, and anthrax. 



Combating swine plague and hog cholera, Schkeiber {Berlin. Thierarzfl. 

 Wchnschr., 1000, No. 51, jjp. 61-64). — The author conducted experiments in immun- 

 izing sheep, cattle, and horses against swine plague and hog cholera, in order to 

 obtain from them an active serum for treatment of these diseases in hogs. A serum 

 was obtained which in very small doses protected mice from fatal doses of the swine 

 plague bacillus. Later this method was applied to hogs with encouraging results. 

 The immunity thus produced, however, was only temporary. Inoculations for cura- 

 tive purposes in cases of swine plague were made with Septicidin. A hog which was 

 suffering from swine plague and showed a temperature of 40.8° C. was much 

 improved in its condition on the second day after inoculation, and on the fourth day 

 appeared to be entirely recovered. The author conducted other experiments along 

 this line with similar results. 



A study of the constituents of corn smut, "\V. Stuart {Indiana Sta, Rpt. 1500, 

 pp. 26-32). — The author made a number of tests for alkaloid salts and total alkaloid 

 content by technical methods which are described in detail, with the 4 reagents 

 potassium-mercuric iodid, phosphotungstic acid, iodin in potassium iodid solution, 

 and picric acid. Positive results were ol)tained from the first 2 reagents in all cases, 

 and negative from the last 2. Tests were also made of commercial extracts of ergot 

 and corn smut for the jjurpose of comparing them with extracts made in the labora- 

 tory. The results were quite uniform. 



Experiments for the purpose of testing the physiological effect of alcoholic extracts 

 of com smut upon horses were made by Dr. R. A. riraig. In these experiments it 

 W'as found that a subcutaneous injection of 25 to 30 cc. caused an increased jieristaltic 

 movement of the intestines and a slight acceleration of the pulse and breathing. An 

 injection of 45 cc. produced in addition to these symptoms dullness and an unsteady 

 gait. Subcutaneous injections of 15 cc. and doses of 130 cc. by way of the month 

 produced little effect. Determinations were also made of the ash and moisture con- 

 tent of the snuit spores. 



Nerve diseases of horses in the sacral plexus, Thomassen {Moruitsh. Prakt. 

 Thierh., 12 (1901), No. 4, pp. 14S-156). — The author gives a brief account of the 

 symptoms and post-mortem finduigs in cases of diseases of the sacral plexus. 



Upon the occurrence of rabies, A. ^y. Bitting {Indiana Sta. Rpt. 1900, j>p. 

 53-55). — A report is given of 3 outbreaks of this disease which occurred within the 

 State. During these outbreaks dogs, sheep, hogs, horses, and cows became infected 

 with the disease. 



Antirabies serum therapy, A. Rodet and Galavielle ( Compt. Itrnd. Soc. Biol. 

 Paris, 52 {1900), Xo. 40, j)p. 1091-109S). — The serum employed in the author's 

 experiments was obtained from a sheep which had Ijeen treated with rabies virus. 

 This serum inoculated hypodermically, intravenously, or into the body cavity, dur- 

 ing the period of incubation, proved to be without effect, except after the use of 

 rabies virus. When injected into the brain alone, either during the period of incu- 

 bation or after the appearance of rabies symjjtoms, it had the effect of prolonging 

 the duration of the disease; but its influence in all cases was very slight. It did not 

 bring about a recovery from the disease or prevent the appearance of violent symp- 

 toms. If this serum Vje introduced into the brain, mixed with virulent material, it 

 exercises a marked influence on the progress of the disease and retards to a great 

 extent the final fatal attack. 



Animal parasites, I, E. P. Niles ( Virginia Sta. Bui. lOS, pp. 11). — A brief classi- 

 fication of the parasites of domestic animals according to the natural orders to which 

 they belong. 



