378 EXPEBIMENT STATION RECORD. 



toxin amboceptor which, after activation by lecithin and serum lipoids, acts 

 hemolytically on blood corpuscles. 



I'oUen contains proteases, diastases, catalases, and lipases. 



In regard to the properties of pyocyanase, M. Isabolinsky {Centhl. BaJct. 

 [e<6'.], 1. Aht.. Orig., 67 (1913), No. 7, pp. 532-540).— The results indicate that 

 pyocyanase when tested against Bacillus diphtheriw, B. typhosus, B. paru- 

 typhosus, B. coli, B. anthracis, B. pyocyancus, B. suisepticus, B. rhusiopathicp, 

 and streptococci, possesses no bactericidal properties. The sera obtained by 

 treating rabbits with pyocyanase, however, have all the properties of immune 

 sera. 



Technique for preparing antihog erysipelas and antianthrax serum, B. 

 Patzewitsch and M. Isabolinsky {Centhl. Bakt. [etc.], 1 Abt., Orig., 68 {1913), 

 No. 1, pp. 117-122). — The method proposed for the antierysipelas serum con- 

 sists of treating horses intravenously with a cultuie of the Bacillus rhusiopathia; 

 suum taken from the blood or bone marrow of hogs dying from erysipelas, or 

 from the heart blood of infected pigeons. For the antianthrax serum strains 

 of the asporogenic and spore viruses were employed, the former being given 

 subcutaneously and the latter intravenously. The organisms were obtained 

 from a horse, bovine, sheep, and a man. 



The detection of anthrax with the precipitation method, Schlitz and 

 Pfeilee {Arch. Wiss. «. Prakt. Tierheilk., 38 {1912), Nos. 3, pp. 207-2^2; J,, 

 pp. 311-372). — Precipitating anthrax sera can be prepared with the rabbit, 

 sheep, bovine, ass, and horse. The ass is the preferable animal. It was found 

 advantageous to give larger quantities than is the custom with living organisms 

 of low or medium virulence. The formation of precipitating antibodies de- 

 pends upon the animal and the kind of culture used. The antibodies are pro- 

 duced in large amounts in about 5 days' post infection, and they vanish in 

 some individuals sooner than in others. The titer of the various sera prepared 

 varied, but for the precipitation reaction only such sera can be used as produce 

 a precipitate immediately with spleen extracts from animals affected with 

 anthrax. 



The most certain method for preparing the antigen (spleen extracts) is 

 Ascoli's method, but with a previous extraction with chloroform. The precipi- 

 tin reaction, on the basis of 1,700 tests carried out in the Pathologic Institute 

 of the Veterinary High School at Berlin, is considered absolutely specific for 

 diagnostic purposes. 



Ascoli's thernioprecipitin reaction for diagnosing anthrax, G. Flokis 

 (Deut. Tierdrztl. Wchnschr., 20 {1912), No. U, pp. 211, 2i2).— Ascoli's method 

 is deemed a certain method for detecting the presence of anthrax. It gives 

 positive results even though the material is in a state of putrefaction. 



The cause for the natural immunity against the anthrax bacillus, H. 

 KODAMA {Centbl. Bakt. [etc.], 1. Abt., Orig., 68 {1913), No. 3-4, pp. 373-J,28).— 

 The cap.sule of the anthrax bacillus, according to the author, originates from a 

 membrane which, under various conditions, is produced by the swelling and 

 extrusion of the membrane of the bacterial cell. The capsule is the protective 

 apparatus for the anthrax bacterium against the action of the phagocytic, but 

 not against the bactericidal, properties of serum. 



The cause for the natural immunity of frogs, chickens, and white rats against 

 the anthrax bacillus is different for each of the animals. The resistance of 

 mice and guinea pigs is explained as being due to capsule formation, but the 

 resistance which the rabbit possesses is not due to this cause. 



On eczema in the horse and bovine, A. Morleb ( Ueber Ekzeme bei Pferd und 

 Rind. Inaug. Diss., Univ. Bern, 1912, pp. 91, pis. 3). — This paper includes a 

 report of 13 cases of eczema, together with the results of remedial treatment. 



