478 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.40 



the contributions of the science of immunity to the diagnosis and treatment of 

 various diseases of particular importance in the present war. together with a 

 statement of a few of the unsolved problems. 



A method of preparing bacterial antigens, J. C. Small {Jour. Immunol., 8 

 [1918), 2fo. 5, pp. 413-422; abs. in Jour. Amer. Med. Assoc, 11 (1918), Xo. 26. 

 p. 2179). — The essential qualifications of an ideal bacterial antigen are dis- 

 cussed, and a method is outlined which is said to yield efficient antigens. 



The method consists essentially of the extraction of the fat-like substances 

 from dried bacteria by chloroform and ether. The residue is then freed from 

 traces of these solvents and suspended in sterile salt solution. A dry antigen 

 preparation is also described which can be stored for use over long periods of 

 time without becoming anticomplementary, as is often the ease with stock 

 antigen suspensions. For this preparation the bacteria are extracted as de- 

 scribed above, and after the last washing with ether the bacterial residue is 

 dried, intimately mixed with 8.5 times its weight of sodium chlorid, and re- 

 duced in a mortar to a very fine powder. For use the powder is suspended in 

 distilled water in the proportion of 0.96 gm. of the powder to 100 <•(■. «,f water. 



The disinfection of pathogenic bacilli by the cinchona alkaloids, R. Bielinq 

 {Biochem. Ztsohr., 85 [1918), No. .1-4, pp. 188-211, figs, f).— The author sum- 

 marizes the work of other investigators on the disinfecting action of the bomO- 

 logues of the hydroquinone series with from 5 to 8 carbon atoms in the side 

 chain, and reports the results of a study of the effect of these disinfectants on 

 the bacilli of diphtheria, tetanus, and anthrax. While all these organisms are 

 destroyed by very high dilutions of the higher bomologues of hydroquinone, the 

 maximum effect on the different organisms was not always produced by the 

 same compounds. The theory of their action as specific rather than nonspecific 

 disinfectants is discussed. 



The resistance of the glanders bacillus to calcium hypochlorite. IV CoHKK 

 i-iour. Infect. Diseases, :', {1919), \>>. i. /</*. SI 55, fig. />. The author's 

 studies indicate that Bacillus mallei is. if anything, more sensitive than Ji. OOli 

 to dilute solutions of calcium hypochlorite. He concludes thai it may be effi 

 lively used in the disinfection of horse troughs as a harmless prophylactic 

 measure in glanders Infected regions. 



The differentiation and distribution of the paratyphoid enteritidis group. — 

 V, Occurrence in the human intestine. K. ( >. JOBTM.H and F. F. [OKNS [Jow. 

 Infect. Diseases, .'•>' {1918), \". <>'. /'/<. •">■•'? ■'</->. — This is in continuation of the 

 studies previously noted (F. S. K. 80, p. 587 I . 



Further observations on hemolytic streptococci in milk. 1 ». J. DAVIS [lour. 

 Infect. Diseases, .'■•' {1918), Vs. <>'. pp. 559*-561). — This is g report of observa- 

 tions carried on in continuation of those previously noted (E. s. k.. 35, p. 680), 

 in which hemolytic streptococci of the Streptococcus tactions type were found 

 in dairy milk in I'.", of !>'-' samples. "In this series they were far more common 

 in nonpasteurlsed than in pasteurized milk. They are less virulent tor rabbits 

 than the hemolytic Streptococci of human origin. Two strains were found witli 

 moderate pathogenic power for rabbits. 



"While, in general, one may be practically sure that orgamKins of the \s.) 

 lacticus type are not dangerous to man. still individual organisms or strains 

 of human-milk, or bovine origin suspected of being responsible for sore throats 

 or other infections in man should be carefully studied and compared with a view 

 to finding specific common characters." 



Studies in the metabolism of pathogenic actinomycetes (streptothrices - ). I. 

 S. A. Waksman {Jour, infect. Disease*, 28 (1918), \o. 6, pp. 547-55$).—" Blood 



agar is a very good medium for the growth of pathogenic actinoniy cetes, a good 

 growth being obtained in 24 to T'J hours when Incubated at 37° C. |S>S.C° P.] 



