482 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.87 



the hygienic importance of a proper diagnosis, especially where the milk is 

 to be used. The difBculty often encountered in diagnosis Is indicated. 



Age determination of cattle in different countries (Abs. in Agr. News 

 [Barbados], 16 (1911), Xo. 392, p. 155).— Attention is called to the fact that 

 dentition formulas for the determination of age in cattle vary according to 

 breed and environment. 



Health herd book for breeders of pure-bred cattle and owners of high- 

 grade dairy animals, V. A. Moore (Ithaca, N. Y.: Carpenter d Co., 1915, pp. 

 [204], fiffs- 51). — This loose-leaf book contains blanks for recording the name 

 of the animal, date of birth, date of purchase, price, etc. ; identification mark- 

 ings; progeny; health, including record of tuberculin tests and statement and 

 date of any sickness, abortion, udder trouble, or injuries; milk production; 

 and pedigi'ee. 



In a prefatory note the author calls attention to the importance of a care- 

 fully kept record of the health of every animal of a herd, not only to the 

 owner in the management of his herd but also to the prospective purchaser. 



A rational and successful method of preventing abortion in cattle, A. T. 

 Peters (Jour. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc, 51 (1917), No. 2, pp. 211-214).— The 

 author has obtained successful results in 106 herds through feeding a per- 

 fectly blended formula of mineral matter in sufficient quantity to replenish the 

 lost mineral in the animal body. This was supplemented by a thorougli disin- 

 fection of the stables and. where the cows showed indications of discharge, 

 by injections of a saturated solution of bicarbonate of soda. 



Abortion in dairy cattle, W. L. Williams (Jour. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc, 

 51 (1917), No. S, pp. S.i8-S6S, figs. 3). — A paper presented at the twentieth 

 annual meeting of the U. S. Live Stock Sanitary Association, held at Chicago 

 in December, 1916, which summarizes the present status of knowledge of the 

 disea.se. Sec also a previous note (E. S. R., r{4, p. 386 K 



A report upon an outbreak of stomatitis contagiosa, H. E. Gibbs (Ve^ 

 Jour., 73 (1917), No. 503. pp. 1^7-155. figs. -J). — A report of experiments con- 

 ducted during a recent outbreak. 



Investigation of a new variety of Nocardia bovis, Actinomyces lan- 

 franchii, L. Sani (Ann. Ig. [Rome], 26 (1916), Nos. 9. pp. 570-5S0, figs. 5: 10, 

 pp. 6^6-658). — Biological and morphological studies which have led tu the 

 identification of tliis new variety of the ray-fungus are reported. 



Sheep poisoned by western goldenrod (Solidago spectabilis), S. Lockett 

 (Jour. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc, 51 (1917), No. 2, pp. 214-221).— Tlie author re- 

 ports upon losses among sheep In Nevada through feeding upon S. spectabilis, 

 a plant which possesses definite nerve-poisoning properties, both in its natural 

 . green condition and when cured in hay. 



"The symptoms produced may be acute (maniacal), subacute (producing 

 .slight cerebral stinuihition and increase<l normal reflexes), or chronic (result- 

 ing finally in mental depression, ataxia, and palsy). These appear to (U'licnd 

 upon the amount of the plant ingested in a given period of time. Five hundred 

 gm. eaten in 8 hours produced within 23 hours a severe type of poisoning in a 

 six to seven months lamb. 



" Chloral hydrate in proper dosage would seem indicated as an antidote. 

 The administration of 45 grains per rectum followed in 20 minutes by 90 grains 

 per OS was excessive in the case of the experimental lamb of six to seven 

 months of age. This animal remained too long under the effect of the drug 

 and the after stupor produced would in field practice militate against the 

 chances of recovery under herd conditions." 



The kiduey worm of swine (Stephanurus dentatus), E. L. I.taces (Estac. 

 Bspt. Agrun. Cuba Circ. 52 (1916), pp. 13, Jigs. 3). — A brief summary of infer- 



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