580 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. 



of slobules and the diameter of each globule in a definite area may be deter- 

 mined, and from these figures may be calculated the mean diameter of the 

 globules, the actual distribution of the fat in the various sizes of globules, and 

 the percentage of fat in the milk. 



Comparing the capillary tube and the flat cell methods, the authors contend 

 that, because of the varying volumes of diluted milk, the former method necessi- 

 tates the use of a variable factor in calculating the mean volume, while In the 

 latter plan there is a constant volume of undiluted milk and hence a constant 

 factor to be dealt with. Furthermore, the volume of milk actually examined 

 in the latter method is approximately 10 times that measured in the capillary 

 method. The use of photography also facilitates enumeration of globules, and 

 while the photograph is taken immediately the enumeration may be made at 

 leisure. There may also be a double enumeration, thus checking the results 

 and discarding any doubtful values. However, the flat cell method necessitates 

 expensive apparatus and the expenditure of somewhat more time. 



Influence of temperature on the physical condition of milk fat, W. Van 

 DAsr (Chem. Weekbl, 9 {1912), No. 50, pp. 982-991).— A report of investigations 

 on the influence of heat and cold on the physical condition of milk fat, in which 

 it was found that the expansion and contraction is directly dependent upon the 

 temperature. 



Slime-forming' bacteria, G. TRorLi-PETEESsoN {Centbl. Bald, [etc.1, 2. Bt., 38 

 (1913), No. 1-6, pp. 1-S, pi. l).—ln this article the author ascribes slime-forming 

 characters in milk to the presence of Bacterium droserm, and describes the 

 activities of tliis bacterium in cultures of dextrose, lactose, bouillon, etc. 



Sterilizing- milk by electricity {Dairy, 25 {1913), No. 295, p. 19 If). —An 

 account of experiments under way at the University of Liverpool, tending to 

 show that " by the use of a specially constructed electrical apparatus, not only 

 can milk be sterilized without detriment to its nutritive value, but that the 

 tubercle bacillus in milk can be destroyed." It is stated that milk sterilized by 

 this process is rendered eminently fit for infants' use, and that its keeping 

 qualities are very greatly improved. 



Some weaknesses of the city inspection theory, D. H. Steffens {Cream and 

 Milk Plant Mo., 1 {1913), No. 10, pp. 1-6).— In a contest between a commercial 

 milk company and a board of health as to results in obtaining a clean milk 

 supply, the former reports a decrease in bacteria count of from several millions 

 per cubic centimeter at the beginning of the test to 5,200 per cubic centimeter 

 in a period of 90 days. It is claimed that the city inspection theory involves 

 merely the improvement of the details of equipment, while the commercial milk 

 concern could consider the larger problem of methods employed on the dairy 

 farm. 



Farm butter making, J. R. Keithley (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 51,1, 

 pp. 28, fnjs. i5).— This is a popular discussion of butter making on the farmi 

 replacing Farmers' Bulletin 241, previously noted (E. S. R., 17, p. 802). 



VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



Text-book of pharmacology for veterinarians, G. Mxjller {Lehrbuch 

 der Pharmakologie fiir Tierdrzte. Hanover [1913], 2. ed pp ^83 figs 12' 

 rev. in Vet. Jonr., 69 {19X3), No. 457, pp. 3J,5, 3J,6).-Th\s book has been written 

 especially for German and Austrian veterinarians, and the pharmacopoeia of 

 both countries has been consulted in its compilation. 



The extra pharmacopoeia, W. H. Martindale and W. W. Westcott {London, 

 1912, 15. ed., rev. and enl, vols. 1, pp. XXXI+llll,; 2, pp. VI II +370). —This, 



