1916] VETERINARY MEDICINE. 881 



A method of studying the effect of serum upon tissues, S. Feldstein 

 {Proc. Soc. Expt. Biol, and Med., 12 (1915), No. 8, pp. 187-191).— \ histological 

 method for studying the effect of serum on various tissues is descril)ed in detail. 



After incubation of the tissue with serum and proper staining marked changes 

 in the structure were observed, the most striking changes being found in the 

 nuclei. The nuclei had either disappeared entirely or failed to take the stain. 



The results are briefly discussed. 



The effect of lecithin and horse serum on the hemolytic action of certain 

 peptones, A. A. Epstein (Jour. Immunol., 1 {1916), No. 3, pp. iS3-l 88). —Con- 

 tinuing previous work « the author has shown that lecithin alters the hemolytic 

 and agglutinative action of the peptones in relation to different species of red 

 blood cells. 



" It seems apparent that the increase in the hemolytic activity of the pep- 

 tones resulting from the addition of minute amounts of lecithin is not due to the 

 intervention of a lipolytic ferment and the subsequent splitting off of a fatty 

 acid from the lecithin." 



The activation of the peptones can be accomplished not only by the addition 

 of pure lecithin to them but also by the addition of horse serum, as in the case 

 of cobra venom. The activation of the peptones with serum is not so marked 

 as with the lecithin. Whole serum fails to activate the peptones and interferes 

 with their hemolytic action. After extraction with ether the serum does not 

 activate the peptones in any dilution. 



The relation of lipoids to immune reactions, J. W. Jobling (Jour. Immunol., 

 1 (1916), No. Jf, pp. 491-500). — This is the presidential address delivered at the 

 third annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists, held at 

 Washington, D. C, May 11 and 12, 1916. The subject is reviewed in detail and 

 a bibliography of 67 references to the literature cited is appended. 



A new method of active immunization, M. Fbankenhuis (Tijdschr. Dier- 

 geneesk., 43 (1916), No. 16, pp. 597-602). — A method of immunization which de- 

 pends on the slow, continued absorption of the virus is described. The virus is 

 introduced into the animal in a capillary tube which is placed under the skin 

 by a rather simple operation. The slow absorption takes place from the ma- 

 terial introduced. A permanent active immunity is thus obtained, as indicated 

 by experimental data submitted. 



The use of the new procedure as a prophylactic against spotted fever and 

 foot-and-mouth disease is suggested and outlined. Advantages claimed for it 

 are that it is not dangerous even though the lethal dose is introduced ; a greater 

 and more permanent immunity can be obtained than with any of the other 

 methods in general use; immunization is possible even though no pure culture 

 is at hand ; and the method can be used in conjunction with other methods if 

 desired. 



The introduction of the capillary tube as foreign material is indicated as a 

 disadvantage, although the danger with sterile material is deemed to be slight. 



A simplified method of producing a potent precipitin serum, W. V. Smith 

 (Jour. Med. Research, 34 (1916), No. 2, pp. 169-175).— In cases where human 

 blood or blood serum can not be readily obtained at all times the author recom- 

 mends the precipitation of the protein with ammonium sulphate and the use 

 of the precipitate for the production of a potent precipitin rabbit serum by in- 

 traperitoneal injection. The preparation thus obtained can be kept on hand 

 for a long time, " at least nine months, and no doubt indefinitely." The danger 

 to the animal to be injected is greatly reduced by using the concentrated ma- 

 terial, as a smaller quantity Is injected and the preparation is sterile, or 

 nearly so. 



•Jour. Expt. Med., 15 (1912), No. 5, pp. 485-497, 



