86 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



stain, which he regards as the perfect form of the causal ageut of pleuro- 

 pneumonia." 



Spiroptera reticulata in cattle, S. Dodd (Vet. Rec, 22 (1910), No. 1129, pp. 

 570, 571). — Although recently published works upon parasites of domesticated 

 animals state that S. reticulata is not known to occur in animals other than 

 eciuines, the author points out that for some years parasitic nodules containing 

 worms supposed to be this species have been known to exist in cattle in Aus- 

 tralia. The parasite in question is very common in Queensland cattle but 

 appears to be seen most frequently in cattle from the western plains. 



Report on experiments with, the wild passion-flower vine in connection 

 with, the death of cattle in the Beaudesert district, S. Dodd (Queensland 

 Aqv. Jour., 24 (1910), Xo. 2. pp. 88-DS). — Feeding experiments with Passiflora 

 alba are reported. 



Lip-and-leg ulceration of sheep (U. S. Dept. Agr.. Bur. Anim. Indus. Circ. 

 160, pp. 35. figs. 7). — This consists of two papers, presented at the convention of 

 the National Wool Growers' Association. Ogden, Utah, January S, 1910. 



I. The icork of the Bureau of Animal Industry for the suppression of lip-and- 

 leg ulceration of sheep, A. D. Melvin (pp. 5-12). — A gi-oup of diseases of an 

 ulcerative nature, variously known as foot-rot, necrotic dermatitis, necrotic 

 stomatitis, etc., which have existed in the United States for many years, have 

 been found to be caused by the necrosis bacillus (B. necrophorus), and thus 

 may be considered as a single disease, manifesting itself in various forms. In 

 this paper the author discusses the occurrence of the disease and the work of 

 suppression that is being carried on by this Deiiartment. As the malignant 

 form continued to spread, a federal quarantine on sheep in S counties in Wyom- 

 ing was declared August 6, irK)9. 



II. Lip-and-lcg ulceration (Necrohacillosis) of sheep: Its cause and treat- 

 ment, J. R. Mohler (pp. 13-35). — In this paper the author discusses the history 

 of the disease, its nature, and methods of treatment at some length. While it 

 has been discovered in this country in both East and West as well as in various 

 parts of Europe off and on for the past 20 years, until quite recently but little 

 effort has been made to find the causative agent or to check its spread. 



" The characteristic lesions may be found on any part of the exterior of sheep 

 where the bacillus which causes it may gain entrance; but cuts, bruises, abra- 

 sions, and exposure to devitalizing processes being less frequent upon parts 

 covered with wool and their contact with infection less likely, the woolly por- 

 tions of the body are less subject to lesions than other parts. In this country 

 lesions upon the head, as lips, chin, nose, cheeks, gums, and hard palate, are 

 the most frequent, while much less common are the ulcers on the legs and feet. 

 Shear cuts and the tail stump of docked lambs are at times infected, while slit 

 ears have been more frequently involved. In bucks freqiiently and in wethers 

 occasionally the sheath is infected. The vulva of ewes has been found ulcer- 

 ated in a relatively small percentage of cases, while the udder and teats even 

 more rarely have developed the infection, notwithstanding that the sucking 

 lambs showed more or less ulceration and eruptions on the mouth parts. In 

 some cases lesions have appeared in the pharnyx and lungs, accasionally in the 

 liver and stomach, and in such instances the disease uniformly results in death." 



The various manifestations are arranged and described under (1) the Up 

 ;iud leg form, .(2) the venereal form. (3) the foot-rot form, and (4) the sore 

 mouth form. The disease is primarily the result of abrasions of the skin and 

 other tissues, allowing the access of the bacilli. A pi'olonged drought, which 

 renders the food scarce, inducing the sheep to browse on thistles and roughage 

 and thereby causing the necessary abrasions, is a predisposing factor. Experi- 

 ments conducted by the Bureau of Animal Industry have shown that necrosis 



