994 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



have given favorable results. During 1900 about 20,000 cattle were placed under 

 special protection against the contagion of tuberculosis. The author ascribes great 

 importance to annual disinfection of dairy barns and stables. — f. w. woll. 



Congenital tuberculosis, V. Voirix {Devi. Tierdrztl. Wchnschr., 9 {1901), Nos. 

 30, pp. 305-308; 31, pp. 315, 316). — This paper was read before the general meeting 

 of the Association of Veterinarians at Wiesbaden. The author gives a critical review 

 of the literature relating to this subject and discusses the various possibilities of 

 transmission of the disease to the foetus before birth. It is considered that such 

 transmission is possible in animals and man. Statistics, however, indicate that the 

 percentage of congenital tuberculosis is exceedingly small. Of 370,000 calves slaugh- 

 tered in Prussia only 73 were tuberculous. 



Bioclieniical studies on the Bacillus tuberculosis, P. A. Levene {Jour. Med. 

 ResearcJi, G (1901), Xo. 1, pp. 135-144) ■ — The author investigated the chemical com- 

 position of Bacillus tuberculosis for the purpose of determining, so far as possible, the 

 relationship between its composition and virulence. The pathogenic power of the 

 bacillus in animal organisms appears to be due, according to the author, to its resist- 

 ance toward destructive influences of the animal cells, rather than to any toxin 

 which it secretes. Detailed notes are given on complete chemical analyses of sam- 

 ples of tubercle bacilli from different culture media. The different samples of tuber- 

 culinic acid which were obtained differ considerably in their composition, and it 

 appears from these experiments that this acid is less stable than other nucleic acids. 



On the value of tuberculin, C. J. Pound {Queensland Agr. Jour., 8 {1901), No. 

 6, pp. 47G, 477). — It is urged that the tuberculin test should be applied every 6 

 months, whether the animals ajjpear to be healthy or not. Instances are cited in 

 v.hich a considerable portion of the herd has been found to be tuberculous within 3 

 months after the herd had successfully passed the tuberculin test. A thorough and 

 repeated use of the tuberculin test is considered the most effective means for exter- 

 minating tuberculosis. 



Anthrax, J. C. Robert {Mississippi Sla. Bid. 7^, pp. 13, Jig. 1). — The author gives 

 a brief historical account of outbreaks of anthrax in Mississippi. The nature of the 

 disease is discussed and notes given on the various domestic mammals and birds 

 which are susceptible to infection by anthrax. It is believed that the rapid spread 

 of anthrax in the recent outbreak in the State was due to inoculation of healthy 

 animals by the bites of insects. An examination of the stomach contents of a fly 

 which had sucked blood from infected animals demonstrated the presence of 

 numerous anthrax bacilli. The symptoms of anthrax are briefly described. In con- 

 trolling this disease little encouragement is received from any line of medical treat- 

 ment. The main reliance must be placed on preventive measures. These should 

 include a rigid quarantine, the destruction of carcasses of all animals which die of 

 anthrax, the vaccination of animals which may have been exposed to the disease, 

 and the thorough disinfection of premises where outbreaks have occurred. Animals 

 may also be protected against such flies which may carry infection by smearing with 

 offensive oily preparations. 



Means of immunizing cattle against cattle plague, A. Dudikanov {Arch. 

 Vet. Nauk, St. Petersburg, 31 {1901), No. 10, pp. 897-900).— In this paper a brief 

 summary is given of the results obtained by the author in extended experiments 

 with this disease. It was found that after vaccination the animal at once acquired a 

 »-reat resisting power against cattle plague. From artificially immunized animals 

 blood may be drawn in large quantities, and frequently without greatly injuring the 

 health of the animal or weakening the protective power of the serum obtained from 

 such blood. 



Blackleg, F. Sivori {Bol. Agr. >/ nanaderia, 1 {1901), No. 13, pp. 3-13, pi. ;).— In 

 various herds of cattle in Argentina outbreaks of blackleg occurred and the mortality 

 in such herds varied from 2.5 to 6 per cent. The author made elaborate investiga- 

 tions for the purpose of definitely identifying the disease. An examination was made 



