470 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. [Vol.43 



phosphorus. The ripened sainples without regard to pasteurization tended to 

 retain more soluble organic phosphorus than the others. The presence of salt 

 hastened the breakdov/n of the organic compounds. 



Several variously handled portions of cream were inoculated with Hanmier's 

 Bacterium ichthyosiniiis (E. S. R., 37, p. 68G) and then churned. Butter from 

 cream so treated that there was a noticeable decomposition of the soluble 

 organic phosphorus compounds (i. e. lecithin, chiefly) developed fishy flavors 

 during storage. It is suppo.sed that trinu'thylamin is formed under these cir- 

 cumstances. Somewhat similar experiments by Supplee have been noted (E. S. 

 II., 42, p. 564). 



In another experimental churning it was determined that about two-thirds 

 of the total phosphorus of the cream is retained ^n the buttermilk, and only 

 about 25 per cent is carried over into the buttei", the difference being accounted 

 for by the phosphorus dissolved in wash waters and salt exudates. 



Besides casein the protein residue of butter was found to include the alcohol- 

 soluble protein found in milk by Osborne and Wakeman (E. S. R., 38, p. Gil). 



VETERINAKY MEDICINE. 



New and nonoflficial remedies, 1920 (Chicago: Amcr. Med. Assoc., 1920, 

 pp. 396-\-XXXI). — In the preface of the 1920 edition of this book, the previous 

 editions of which have been noted (E. S. R., 41, p. 781), particular attention is 

 called to the general article on lactic-acid producing organisms and prepara- 

 tions, which has been rewritten by a special committee, and to the statement 

 in the article on serums and vaccines concerning the dating of biological prod- 

 ucts, which has been rewritten in accordance with the recent Federal regula- 

 tions for governing the sale of biologic products. 



In addition to the customary omissions, additions, and revisions, a change 

 from previous editions has been made in the establishment of a department of 

 articles described but not accepted, in which are listed " proprietary prepara- 

 tions which have therapeutic value but which are so exploited as to be unad- 

 missible to New and NonofRcial Remedies." 



Poisonous plants and the Department of Agriculture, C. W. Maksh (Pro- 

 (Incer, 1 {1920), No. 12, pp. 1-11, figs. 4)- — ''^ brief popular account of work 

 with poisonous plants. 



The whorled milkweed (Asclepias galioides) as a poisonous plant, C. D. 

 Marsh, A. B. Clawson, J. F. Couch, and W. W. Eggleston {U: S. Dept. Agr. 

 Bui. 800 {1920), pp. 40, 2)ls. 9, figs. 4).— The first part (pp. 1-8) of this bulletin 

 consists of an account of the status of knowledge of this plant ; the second part 

 (pp. 8-25) gives the details of experimental work. The data presented are 

 summarized by the author as follows-: 



" The whorled milkweed growing in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona 

 has been proved to be exceedingly poisonous. The weed has been identified 

 botanically as A. galioides. In previous publications it has been cited as A. 

 verticillata. The plant is poisonous to horses, cattle, and sheep, but most of the 

 reported losses have been of sheep. The most marked symptoms are the violent 

 spasms. The autopsies and microscopical examinations show congestion of 

 the peripheral blood vessels, the congestion being especially marked in some 

 glands, the lungs, and the central nervous system. The chemical examination 

 of the plant, while incomplete, has demonstrated the existence of definite toxic 

 compounds, part of which are glucosidal in nature. The plant contains also 

 a minute quantity of nontoxic alkaloid. There is no medicinal remedy which 

 gives satisfactory results. Reliance must be placed on the destruction of the 



