1096 EXPEKIMENT STATION EECORD. 



conditions for making the cultures of bacteria. At first anthrax haciUus grew hixu- 

 riantlyand formed spores in some cases. Upon examination, liowever, it was found 

 that this was due to a defect to the apparatus, which had allowed oxygen to enter. 

 After the defects were remedied no spores were formed. The anthrax bacilli which 

 were cultivated under such conditions, grew out in long threads and showed a gran- 

 ulur disintegration. 



Influence of alcohol on the natural immunity of pig-eons to anthrax and on 

 the course of anthrax infection, 8. J. Goldberg {CenlU. Bakt. u. Par., 1. Abt., 30 

 {1901), Xos. IS, pp. 69G-700; 19, pp. 731-741)- — A critical review is given of the litera- 

 ture relating to physiological and toxic effects of alcohol, especially as demonstrated 

 in the treatment of diseases. In order to determine the influence of alcohol upon 

 immunity to infectious diseases and upon the course of such diseases, the author tried 

 experiments on pigeons in their relation to anthrax. The general results of the 

 experiments may be summarized as follows: Pigeons, which are naturally immune 

 to anthrax, succumbed to inoculation with anthrax as soon as moderate or large 

 doses of brandy were administered. Chronic alcohol intoxication was found to cause 

 a considerable decrease in the natural resisting power of pigeons toward anthrax. 

 Small doses of alcohol given along with fatal doses of anthrax cuhure for the purpose 

 of determining its possiljle therapeutic effect showed that alcohol has no true thera- 

 peutic Value in the treatment of this disease and that many of the pigeons which 

 were given alcohol died sooner than those wliich were not so treated. 



The geographical distribution of actinomycosis of cattle in Bavaria, J. 

 MiTTELDORF {IiKiug. Diss., Univ. Bern, 1901, jyp. SO, pi. i).— The author made a care- 

 ful survey to determine the distribution and relative frequency of this disease in 

 various parts of Bavaria. The distribution is discussed in connection with a map of 

 4 colors, showing localities in which cattle are infested to the extent of from' 0.01 to 

 0.09 per cent, from 0.1 to 0.9 per cent, from 1 to 2.9 per cent, and from 3 to 12 per 

 cent, respectively. No differences were observed in susceptibility of native and pure 

 ])red races of various sorts to the disease. The highest percentages of infestation are 

 observed in moist, swampy localities. Of the 3,621 ca.ses of actinomycosis upon 

 which notes are made in this dissertation, 75.5 per cent occurred in the head and neck, 

 23.3 in the tongue, 0.77 per cent in the abdomen, 0.05 per cent in the udder, 0.24 

 per cent in hogs, and 0.11 per cent in horses. 



Coli bacteria and the common bacteria of mammitis in cows, H. Streit 

 {Inaug. Diss., Univ. Bern, 1901, pp. 4S). — The author made culture .studies of 12 races 

 of coli bacteria and 9 of ordinary mammitis bacteria. The original cultures were 

 obtained from a great variety of sources. Details are given concerning the culture of 

 these different bacterial forms Irom various culture media. It was found during 

 the author's investigations that the most frequent bacteria observed in mammitis of 

 cows belong to the coii group. They occur in various forms which are peculiar to 

 this group, the greatest number belonging to typical coli races. Other forms are 

 found intermediate between these and aerobic forms. The character of different 

 races undergoes important modifications by long-continued culture. By this means 

 one form may be modified into a form which may be considered as belonging to 

 another race. According to the author's investigations the bacteria of mammitis are 

 frequently found in the intestines, and it is believed that they most frequently make 

 their way into the udder from this point by means of the circulation and from the 

 outside world through the milk openings. 



Spotted kidney in calves, K. Vaerst {Lkukj. Diss., Umv. Bern, 1901, pp. 21, Jigs. 

 il').— The literature on the sul)ject is reviewed, in connection with a short bibliogra- 

 phy. Tables are presented showing the weight, length, breadth, thickness, and 

 number of spots in the kidneys showing this affection. Great differences of opinion 

 have prevailed regarding the cause of spotted kidney, and the fitness of such kidneys 

 for food. Experiments made by the author showed that no infectious material was 



