180 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.37 



Transmission of pneumonic and septicemic plague among marmots, F, 

 EcERSON and Wu Lien Teh (Jour. Infect. Diseases, 20 (1911), No. 2, pp. 110- 

 119). — In two series of experiments a total of 38 marmots was exposed to 

 plaj?ue, resulting in the death of 23. 



" Of the marmots placed in contact with marmots which had received inocu- 

 lation by inhalation, 52.6 per cent developed pulmonary plague and died on an 

 average within from four to six days. Early infectivity on the part of the in- 

 oculated animals and a short incubation period characterize the transmission. 



" Pulmonary plague can be transmitted readily to the small marmot (Spcnno- 

 philiis citellus), and these animals are capable, in turn, of transmitting the 

 same disease through the respiratory passages. 



" Septicemic plague can be developed in marmots very easily as a result of 

 respiratory infection, and also by direct subcutaneous inoculation with small 

 amounts of culture. The marmot can take plague by way of the alimentary 

 tract and can spread the disease by feeding on plague-infected carcasses. The 

 microscopic lesions observed in these cases are characteristic." 



A digest of the insect transmission of disease in the Orient with especial 

 reference to the experimental conveyance of Trypanosoma evansi, M. B. 

 MiT7,MAiN (A'etc Orleans Med. and Surg. Jour., 69 (1916), No. 6. pp. 416-424). — 

 This summary is based upon the author's experience in the Philippines, reports 

 relating to which have been previously noted (E. S. R.. 30, p. 780; 31, p. 777). 



The complement-fixation test in the diagnosis of tuberculosis, C. F. Craig 

 (Jour. Amer. Med. .A.'^soc., 68 (1911), No. 10. pp. llS-116).—The recent work 

 on the complement-fixation test in tuberculosis is reviewed. 



Continued observations by the author have led him to conclude that the com- 

 plement-fixation test is the most valuable diagnostic niethml that has as yet 

 been devised for the early recognition of the disease and the best index of its 

 activity. A positive reaction with the test is considered to indicate the presence 

 of an active tuberculous focus, and as long as the reaction remains positive 

 the patient should not be considered cured. While a single negative result 

 with the test can not indicate a cure or absence of the disease, repeated nega- 

 tive results extended over a considerable periotl of time should be sufficient 

 evidence that the infection is cured or that the disea.se is not present, especially 

 in instances in which the diagnosis is doubtful. 



Some experituontal data are reported and discusse<l. 



On the biochemistry of the loss of power of the tubercle " bacillus " to 

 stain with carbol fuchsin, A. II. Mii.i.kr (Jour. Path, and Jiact., 21 (1916), 

 No. 1, pp. jy-W'. /''• /•■ — From the study rei<orted the variations encountered 

 in the staining power of the tubercle ba<illus with carbol fuchsin which has 

 been grown on sperm and olive oil media depend upon the production of free 

 oleic acid in the interior of the ro<l. This acid is consideretl to be formed by 

 Ihe round granules or spores of the organism. 



The experimental procedures are described in detail. 



Isolation of tubercle bacilli from sputum and determination of their type, 

 Chung Yik Wang (Jour. Path, and Pact.. 21 (1916). No. 1. pp. 14-22. pi. 1) .— 

 Of 29 strains of the tubercle bacilli isolated from sputum. 28 pro<luce<l in the 

 rabbit either no tuberculosis or a form similar to that produced by the bacilli 

 of the human type. The remaining culture showed tlie well-marked charac- 

 teristics of the " bovine " tyi>e and po.ssessed a high virulence for rabbits. 



A table showing the work on the subject by various investigators up to the 

 present time is included. In 998 cases examined the human type was found 

 In 991 instances, the bovine in 4, and 3 of the cases were mixed. 



A bibliography of 21 references to the literature is appended. 



