78 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.43 



gations here reported. In a somewhat limited region, 6 or 8 cattle had died 

 in 1915 and a number were sick in 1916. In a careful examination made of the 

 range, a sick steer observed, said to be a typical case, was very weak, with a 

 rough coat, staggered as it walked, and exhibited peculiar weaving movements 

 of the hind legs. 



A. tetrapterus plants were received in 1918 and 1919, and feeding experi- 

 ments showed conclusively that it is poisonous to both cattle and sheep. It 

 is a perennial leguminous plant which grows in the foothills and so far as 

 known now is confined to southern Utah and western Nevada, although it is 

 possible that further observation will show a wider range. It grows in scatter- 

 ing patclies reacliing a height of from 1 to 2 ft., but never in such large 

 quantities as is the case with some of the recognized loco plants. It blooms 

 early in June and generally dries up later in the summer. 



The symptoms cau.sed by this plant do not appear to oe especially cliaractei- 

 istic. There is staggering, the weakness being more pronounced in the hind 

 legs, and in the case of a steer there were mild spasms with violent expirations. 

 In a sheep which was killed by the plant, in addition to depression and weak- 

 ness, there were salivation and nausea. It is thought that the range cases 

 are due to the continued eating of rather small quantities, which would lead 

 to the chronic condition. 



No advice can be given as to treatment of poisoned animals until further 

 investigations have been made. If animals become affected they should be 

 removed to a location where they can get an abundance of feed. 



Castor bean poisoning, T. Moreschi (Clin. Vet. [Milan], Rass. Polizia 

 Sanit. G Ig., 42 {1919), No. 21-22, pp. 621-628; abs. in Vet. Rev., If {1920), No. 1, 

 pp. 62, 63). — The author's experiments show castor beans to be poisonous for 

 carnivores as well as herbivores. The lesions induced by feeding the seeds 

 are mainly intense hemorrhagic inflaramation and local necroses of the mucous 

 membrane of the stomach and intestines, marked renal congestion, and 

 hyperemia of the spinal medulla and brain. Feeding experiments led to the 

 conclusion that the poisonous principle is located in the kernel of the seeds and 

 not in the coverings. Since the toxic principle of the seeds could not be 

 extracted with ether, it is concluded that it can not be due to the oleoricin 

 contained in the oil. 



Absolute and relative disinfecting power of elements and chemical com- 

 pounds, H. Friedenthal {Biochcm. Ztschr., 94 {1919), No. 1-2, pp. 47-68: abs. 

 in Cliem. Abs., 13 {1919), No. 23, p. 3210).— In determining the disinfecting 

 power of various chemicals the author takes as a measurement of the absolute 

 disinfecting power tlie volume of a given culture medium which can be kept 

 sterile by 1 gm. of the disinfectant; of the relative disinfecting power, the 

 volume of the same medium wliich can be kept sterile at room temperature by 

 the amount of the disinfectant which represents a lethal dose within 24 hours 

 for 1 kg. weight of frog ; and of the relative cost of the different disinfectants, 

 the volume of culture medium which can be kept sterile by the amount of the 

 disinfectant that can be purchased for a given price (1 mark). 



Experimental data obtained with a large number of inorganic and organic 

 chemicals are reported and discussed, the results as to the absolute power being 

 so grouped as to emphasize the part played by each ion and the influence of 

 the position of the metals in the periodic scale. The H-ion was found to have 

 the most powerful antiseptic value. The salts of the heavy metals had a 

 much higher value than corresponding salts of light metals. Borax and boric 

 acid had approximately the same value, which was about 0.01 that of silver 

 salts. Colloidal silver had a higher value than silver salts, and hydrogen 

 peroxid and formaldehyde about the same value as the silver salts. Arsenious 



