878 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD, [Vol. 37 



its injection, while at the same time the animal maintains a high titer of free 

 precipitin in its blood. When the pure protein antigen is mixed in proper pro- 

 portions with the serum of a specifically immunized rabbit and the resulting 

 precipitate removed by centrifugation, the supernatant fluid contains both anti- 

 gen and antibody. The serum drawn from a rabbit during the period in which 

 free antigen and antibody are coexistent in the circulation undergoes slow 

 spontaneous precipitation when kept in sterile tubes in the ice box." The inter- 

 action appears to take place according to a definite law. 



The protective action of a solution of egg albumin as a third colloid inhibiting 

 precipitation in a reaction between human serum and its antibody was demon- 

 strated. 



Notes on the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Butleigh, Somerset, 

 K. N. Gben\T[lle {Jour. Bath and ^Vest and Smith. Counties Soc, 5. scr.. 11 

 {1916-17), pp. 82-8.i). — Evidence is presented which indicates that tlie infec- 

 tion was carried to cows at Butleigh by a cart, probably in the mud on its 

 wheels. 



The value of the ophthalmic and conglutination tests in the diagnosis of 

 glanders, E. Gkaub {Schweiz. Arch. Tierheillc, 59 {1917). Xo. S, pp. 129-154)-— 

 In the examination of a large number of remounts the ophthalmic reaction was 

 found to yield fairly satisfactory results, although some doubtful reactions were 

 obtained. The conglutination test was the most reliable, no doubtful reactions 

 liaving been observed in the examination of 3,000 sera. 



The ophtlialmic reaction and a simplified conglutination reaction are describeil 

 in detail. In the simplified technique, horse .'^erum is used instead of guinea- 

 pig serum to furnisli complement. 



The temperature required for the " iBactivation " of mule blood for the 

 complement fixation test for glanders, J. B. Buxto.n {Vet. -Jour., 73 {1911), 

 No. 505, pp. 245-2Jf7). — In the examination of blood samples from a large num- 

 ber of mules by the complement fixation method it was found that an unusually 

 large number of animals gave a definite positive or an indefinite reaction. Post- 

 mortem examination of certain animals which had given a positive reaction 

 to the complement fixation test failed to show the presence of glanders lesions. 

 The indefinite reaction was found to be due to insuflicient inactivation of the 

 mule serum and a consequent destruction of anticomplementary bodies. Ex- 

 perimental data submitted show that heating of the serum to 62' C. for one- 

 half hour is necessary for complete destruction of these anticomplementary 

 bodies. 



Transmission of pulmonary and septicemic plague among marmots, Wu 

 Lii;n-Teh and F. Euebson {Jour. Uyg. [Cambridge]. 16 {1917), Xo. 1, pp. 1- 

 11). — Of marmots placed in contact with marmots infected with plague by In- 

 halation, " 52.6 per cent developed pulmorkiry plague and died within four to six 

 days. Marmots suffering from pneumonic plague are infective at an early 

 stage of the disease and the animals which such marmots infect acquire plague 

 after a short inculiative period. 



" Pulmonary plague can be readily transmitted to the small marmot {Sper- 

 mophiluH citcUtis), and these animals, when suffering from pulmonary plague, 

 are in turn capable of transmitting the same type of plague through the 

 respiratory passages. Septicemic plague can be developed in marmots very 

 easily as a result of respiratory infection, and al.so by direct subcutaneous in- 

 oculation with small amounts of culture. The marmot can acquire plague by 

 way of the alimentary tract and spread the disease by feeding on plague- 

 infected carcasses. The histological appearances observed In the lesions of 

 these cases are characteristic." 



