VETERINARY MEDICINE. 281 



various globulin fractions possessed in varying amounts the activity of tlie 

 third component (Ritz's). The albumin of guinea-pig serum was inert. 



In the article the various theories on the constitution of the complement 

 are discussed, and the earlier view of the authors in this connection, viz, that 

 complement action is a complicated process, is considered correct. Serum- 

 silicic acid hemolysis is deemed dependent upon the hemolytic complement of 

 the serum. Definite parallelism exists between the toxic action of various 

 sera and blood corpuscles sensitized with immune bodies, or silicated. Treat- 

 ment of a mixture of serum and silicic acid with carbon dioxid yields a pre- 

 cipitate which contains the entire cobra venom inactivating powers possessed 

 by the serum. 



The fraction (precipitate) when tested against blood loaded with immune 

 bodies indicates the presence of only the middle portion. 



The hemolysis stimulating action of serum on mixtures of various di- and 

 tri-phenylmethane coloring matters, brilliant green, etc., is not dependent upon 

 complement. 



Dialysis of native sera against hydrant water and dialysis of the serum 

 remaining after precipitation with ammonium sulphate results in a decrease in 

 deviability of complement without affecting the hemolytic powers of the serum. 

 This is said to indicate that hemolytic power and deviability are two different 

 functions of complement-holding serum. Frozen complement retains its hemo- 

 lytic titer and deviability for many weeks. 



The method is effective for obtaining standard complement. 



Investigations of the nature of anaplasms, E. C. Dias and H. de B. Aragao 

 (Mem. Inst. Oswahlo Cruz, 6 {IBIJ,). No. 3, pp. 231-249, jjIs. g).— The authors' 

 investigations led them to conclude that the Anaplasma are not protozoans, but 

 products of degeneration of erythrocytes. What has been described by Theiler 

 as anaplasmosis is considered by the authors a clinical form of piroplasmosis. 

 The anaplasmosis of mammals is ascribed to different causes. 



A bibliography of 37 titles is included. 



The status of bacilli from fish meal which give a positive Ascoli reaction, 

 M. ZiNGLE (Ztschr. Infektiouskrank. u. Hyg. Hausticre, 15 {1914), No. 2, pp. 

 131-134, fiff- 1)- — The growth in bouillon and negative results with experimental 

 animals led the author to conclude that the organism in the fish meal examined 

 was the pseudoanthrax bacillus, notwithstanding its close relation to the 

 anthrax bacillus as indicated serologically. The conclusions agree with those 

 of Pfeiler and Drescher (E. S. R., 30, p. 682). 



Investigations of foot-and-mouth disease, Loefflee (Amer. Jour. Vet. Med., 

 10 (1915), No. 6, pp. 381-388, 41O, 428, 429, figs. 2).— This is a general discussion 

 with a review of recent work. 



Foot-and-mouth disease, its nature, cause, and treatment, compiled by J. C. 

 Smith (Saskatcheican Dcpt. Agr., Live Stock Brandt [Pamphlet], 1915, Apr., 

 pp. 7, figs. 2). — ^A popular account. 



An improved method for the detection of mange acari, A. L. Sheather 

 (Jour. Compar. PatJi. ami Ther., 28 (1915), No. 1, pp. 64-66).— The method 

 here described is based upon the maceration of acari through boiling in a 10 

 per cent solution of caustic potash for a period not longer than 10 minutes. 

 The material is then centrifuged, water added, and the sediment examined. 

 It is stated that the method is not destructive to the eggs of mange parasites 

 and that on more than one occasion when acari were not discoverable it has 

 been found possible to arrive at a diagnosis by the detection of eggs. 



The relapse in piroplasmosis, M. Cakpano (CentU. Bakt. [etc.], 1. AM., 

 Orig., 14 (1914), No. 5-6, pp. 482-487, figs. 2).— The author describes a typical 

 case of relaiJse in the donkey brought about by a decreased resistance. 



