180 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.43 



Annual administration reports of the civil veterinary department Madras 

 Presidency for 1917-18 and 1918-19, D. A, D. Aitchison (Ann. Admin. 

 Rpt. Civ. Vet. Dept. Madras Pres., 1917-18, pp. 25, pi. 1; 1918-19, pp. 20).— The 

 usual annual reports (E. S. R., 39, p. 283). 



A study of the tonicity of the sphincter at the duodenal end of the com- 

 mon bile duct, with special reference to animals without a gall bladder, 

 F. C. Mann {Jour. Lab. and Clin. Med., 5 (1919), No. 2, pp. 107-110, fig. 1).— 

 The tone of the sphincter at the duodenal end of the common bile duct was 

 studied in species of animals possessing a gall bladder (dog, cat, goat, rabbit, 

 striped gopher, guinea pig) and in two species (rat, pocket gopher), in which 

 the gall bladder is lacking. 



It was found that " the tone of the sphincter under the experimental 

 conditions studied varied considerably in the different animals and various 

 species. In each species possessing a gall bladder, however, the sphincter was 

 usually able to withstand a minimum pressure of from 75 to 100 mm. water. 

 In the species lacking a gall bladder, the sphincter would not withstand pres- 

 sure, or only pressure of less than 30 mm. water. While anatomic studies have 

 shown that a sphincter is present in each species lacking a gall bladder, the 

 sphincter does not seem to functionate appreciably." 



Poisoning by eating potato tops, W. T. Heetson (Vet. Rec, 32- (1919), No. 

 1626, pp. 104, 105). — This reports upon the loss of several cows as a result of 

 their having gained access for a short time to a potato field where the tops 

 were very green. 



Beet molasses as a feed for weanling pigs, W. E. Carroll (Trans. Utah 

 Acad. ScL, 1 (1908-1917), p. 205).— This is a brief statement of feeding experi- 

 ments with beet molasses in which 30 grade Tamworth pigs between 9 and 12 

 weeks of age were divided into three as nearly uniform lots as possible and 

 fed a basal ration of 2 parts ground barley and 3 parts wheat shorts. Lot 1 

 received only the basal ration ; lot 2 the basal ration and 1 lb. of beet molasses 

 for each 100 lbs. live weight ; and lot 3 the basal ration and 2 lbs. of the molasses 

 for each 100 lbs. live weight. Feeding began July 23, and on August 28 two 

 pigs in lot 3 died. None of those in tlie lots fed molasses were so thrifty as 

 those of lot 1. The first death in lot 2 occurred September 18. At the close of 

 the tests lots 2 and 3 each contained only 3 live pigs, while none had been lost 

 from lot 1. The average live weight of the surviving pigs was 57 lbs. for those 

 m lot 2 and 47 lbs. in lot 3, as against an average of 88 lbs. for the 10 pigs 

 in lot 1. 



The symptoms preceding death were loss of appetite, lack of thrift, and a 

 partial loss of muscular control, resulting in a wobbling and uncertain gait. 

 This muscular weakness sometimes lasted a day or two and then disappeared 

 for a time. There was no scouring in any of the cases. No decided pathologi- 

 cal condition was found (two of the cases) upon post-mortem examination, 

 but the livers and kidneys were considerably congested. 



The Seymour-Jones sublimate-formic acid method for the disinfection 

 of anthrax-contaminated hides and skins, V. Gegenbauer (Arch. Hyg., 87 

 (1918), No. 7-8, pp. 289-315).— The literature on the subject of the disinfection 

 of hides and skins contaminated with anthrax spores is reviewed, and experi- 

 ments are reported which not only confirm the conclusions of various authors 

 that the Seymour-Jones corrosive sublimate-formic acid method is not efficient, 

 but also show that even with a high concentration of the reagents and a longer 

 time of exposure the anthrax spores if cax-ef uUy washed free from the sublimate 

 are capable of growing and of producing anthrax infection. 



A similar investigation by Tilley has been previously noted (E. S. R., 33, 

 p. 178), 



