688 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 37 



the medium is again neutralized^ If necessary, and grape sugar and glycerin 

 added as for the liquid medium. The material is then sterilized in the auto- 

 clave, either In bulk or in culture flasks. 



Irmnunity in its relation to the stock diseases of Southern Rhodesia, L. E. 

 W. Bevan (Rhodesia Agr. Jour., IS {1916), Nos. 5, pp. 640-651; 6, pp. 800-812, 

 pis. 2; 14 {1911), No. 2, pp. 21S-2S4, pis. 2).— This is a general review of the 

 subject witJi special reference to the stock diseases of Southern Rhodesia. 



Anaphylatoidn and anaphylaxis, F. G. 'Novr and P. H. DeKetjif {Jour. 

 Amer. Med. Assoc, 68 {1917), No. 21, pp. 1524-1S28).— This is a general sum- 

 mary of the studies previously noted (E. S. K., 37, p. 578). 



The effect of temperature on the rate of complement fixation, J. Bkonfen- 

 BBENNER uud M. J. ScuxEsiNGEE {Froc. Soc. Expt. Biol. and Med., I4 {1917), No. 

 7, pp. 1S9, I4O). — The authors have studied the relation between the temperature 

 and the rate of fixation and have found that " if sufficient antibody Is present 

 in the serum (three to five units or more) fixation of two units of com- 

 plement takes place witliin the first five minutes, provided the amount of antigen 

 used contains several antigenic units. We find it possible to use this procedure 

 for presumptive elimination of strongly positive sera from a large series of 

 cases. One places In a tube 0.0.5 cc. of the patient's serum, adds the proper 

 amount of antigen and salt solution and incubates at 37' C. in the water 

 bath for five minutes, and then adds sensitized cells to test for free complement. ' 

 Where a rapid fixation of complement is desired a temperature of 37° Is Indi- 

 cated as being the best. One-half hour of incubation at this temperature is 

 considered to be the most efficient for diagnosis. 



Where the time element Is of little Importance, but complete fixation is 

 desiretl. Incubation in the Ice box for from eight to ten hours is found to be 

 the best "These fixations on Ice, however, may not be specific, for the reaction 

 of fixation Is so complete under these conditions that even traces of sei'ondary 

 circulating antigens and tlieir corresponding antibodies may cause fixation of 

 complement. The Ice-box fixation can, therefore, be u.'^ed only as a presumptive 

 test to eliminate the negative cases." 



For the fixation of complement at temperatures below the freezing point 

 such a proce<lure was found to produce imdesirable changes in the reagents, 

 especially in the iintipen, and was therefore unsuitable for the test. 



The specific serum treatment of wounds, E. Leclainchk and H. Vall^e 

 {Jour. Compar. Path, and Thcr.. 29 {1916), No. 4. pp. 2SS-290). —TMs is au 

 English translation of the material previously note<l (E. S. R., 35, p. 882). 



Plants poisonous to live stock. H. C. Ix»no {Cambridge: University Press, 

 1917, pp. yiI-^119, pi. 1). — A brief summary of the present knowledge of 

 plants poisonous to live stock In Great Britain, with symptoms, toxic principles, 

 and a list of the more Important references to th** bibliography in relation to 

 each plant. The poisonous plants are dealt with under their respective orders, 

 and accounts are given of plants suspected of being poisonous, the effects of 

 plants on milk, plants which cause mechanical injury, and the classification of 

 poisons. A bibliography of L'67 titles is appondi-d and a subject Index intluded. 



Potassium permanganate as an antidote for the effects of poisonous plants, 

 C. D. Marsh {Jour. Amcr. Vet. Med. Assoc.. 51 {1917), No. S, pp. 419, 420).— 

 The author calls attention to the fact that for practical purposes the u.se of 

 a drench of potassium permanganate in the case of ruminants polsonetl by 

 plants is without value, as previously shown (E. S. R., 35, p. 779). While 

 potassium permanganate, tannic acid, or sodium bicarbonate would be logical 

 antidotes for alkaloldal poisonings, they are effective only as they come into 

 actual contact with the poisonous substances. It has been found experimen- 

 tally that If the antidote is given repeatedly at Intervals of 30 minutes or less 



