178 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



IJf (1913), No. 13, pp. 765, 766; ahs. in ZentU. Expt. Med., 4 (1913), No. 10, p. 

 ^5^)_ — Sodium nncleinate hinders ttie coagulation of the blood, but has no 

 effect upon the coagulation of milk. 



On the nature of the opsonic substances of normal sera, H. Zinsser and E. 

 G. Gary (Jour. Expt. Med., 19 (1914), No. 4, lip. 3^5-361, pi. i).— There is still 

 much difference of opinion regarding the nature of antibodies by which phagocy- 

 tosis is increased in normal and immune sera. Lack of agreement has centered 

 chiefly upon the question of whether the opsonins are separate antibodies, in- 

 dependent of those previously known, or whether opsonic effects can be at- 

 tributed to the activities of the alexin and tensitizer, acting individually or in 

 cooperation. 



In the experiments 24-hour cultures of the Staphylococcus pyogenes aureus 

 were used in salt solution emulsions. The experiments do not point to a differ- 

 entiation of normal opsonin from alexin, but the authors believe that they indi- 

 cate that the so-called end piece can enter to a slight extent into nonspecific re- 

 lationship with unsensitized bacteria, " and it is therefore active, whereas it 

 can not enter into a similai' relation to unsensitized cells. This conception, 

 however, is tentatively made, since we are studying further the nonspecific 

 absoi^ption of alexin or complement by unsensitized bacteria." 



Studies on the propagation of bacteria, spirilla, and spiroclietes, E. 

 Meirowsky et al. (Studien uber die Fortpflanzung von Bakterien, Spirillcn 

 und Spirochdten. Berlin: Julius Springer, 1914, pp. VII+95, pis. 19, fig. 1). — 

 This is a biological and morphological study of the tubercle bacillus (obtained, 

 from the sputum), leprosy bacillus, and Bacillus enteritidis (Gartner), B. 

 poratyphosus B.; Spirillum ruhrutn and S. tyrogenum; and spirochetes (fowl 

 spirillosis, balanitis, stomatitis, lues). Spirochetes are deemed members of the 

 plant kingdom. 



A bacteriological study of methods for the disinfection of hides infected 

 with anthrax spores, F. W. Tilley (U. S. Dept. Agr., Jour. Agr. Research, 4 

 {1915), No. 1, pp. 65-92). — This is a report of experimental work that was 

 undertaken primarily to determine the value of the Seymour-Jones method of 

 disinfecting hides as compared with other m.ethods, especially the Schattenfroh 

 method. The Avork includes a review of the literature relating to the subject, 

 a list of 16 references being appended. 



The Seymour- Jones method, which consists in the use of mercuric chlorid 

 1: 5,000, plus 1 per cent of formic acid, was not found to be efficient, even with- 

 out neutralization of the disinfectant. A dilution of 1 : 2,500, plus 1 per cent of 

 formic acid, was found to be efficient where no neutralization was attempted, 

 but the latter strength was not sufficient to prevent fatal infection of guinea 

 pigs by disinfected material when the disinfectant was neutralized by a 1 per 

 cent sodium-sulphid solution three or four days after the completion of the 

 process of disinfection. No infection was caused by the inoculation of material 

 which had been kept for a week or more after disinfection. It appears that 

 this method might be employed when hides are disinfected at foreign ports 

 before shipment to this country. 



The Schattenfroh method, which consists in the use of hydrochloric acid and 

 sodium chlorid in the proportions of 2 per cent of the acid and 10 per cent of 

 the salt and with 48 hours' exposure, proved efficient in every instance. While 

 this method can not be regarded as perfect it seems to be far superior to other 

 methods and well worth a trial as a standard method for the disinfection of 

 hides. 



From information furnished by F. P. Veitch of the Bureau of Chemistry in 

 regard to the tanning of small pieces of normal hide treated by the Seymour- 



