84 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 41 



acteristics of the group as a whole and the differential characteristics of the 

 various members have been determined by this study and by a review of the 

 more important literature. 



Food-poisoning epidemics in which the organism has been considered to bear 

 a causal relationship are described in the literature. " Such epidemics are 

 relatively few in comparison with similar epidemics ascribed to Bacillus para- 

 typhosus B, and are not established on as firm a basis. As in the case of the 

 latter organism the harmful effects produced may be due to the multiplication 

 of the organism as well as to the formation of toxic substances, these toxins 

 being very low in potency as contrasted with those produced by tetanus and 

 diphtheria organisms. 



"A number of local infections, including wound infections in which Proteus 

 vulga7-is have been concerned as the primary agent or as secondary agent, are 

 described in the literature. Infections of the urinary tract due to this organism 

 have been noted a number of times. Occasional general infections are also 

 described." 



An extensive bibliography is appended. 



A study of Abderhalden's polarimetric method, A. Sokdelli {An. Soc. 

 Quim. Argentina, 6 {1918), No. 23, pp. 31-34). — Polarimetric readings obtained 

 in the examination by the Abderhalden method of samples of the placenta 

 peptone and of sera from cases of cancer, tuberculosis, and typhus were found 

 to be of the same order as those obtained with sera of pregnancy. As a result 

 of this the conclusion is drawn that the Abderhalden method is lacking in 

 specificity and its diagnostic value is to be doubted. 



Problems in anthrax control, J. J. Fkey {Jour. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc., 55 

 (1919), No. 2, pp. 192-198). — A brief discussion is given of the role of various 

 agencies in the spread of anthrax, of the relative value of methods of immuni- 

 zation with emphasis on the superiority of the double-spore vaccine, and of 

 the most suitable ways of sending specimens for laboratory diagnosis. 



Contribution to the question of specificity of the complement fixation 

 method for diagnosing glanders, Fontaink and LIjtje {Ztschr. Veterindrk., 

 31 {1919), No. 1, pp. 1-36). — An extensive investigation of the influence of 

 various factors on the reliability of the complement fixation test for glanders 

 is reported, from which the conclusion is drawn that the effect upon the test 

 of other diseases is practically negligible. An explanation of occasional positive 

 reactions in glanders-free animals is given, and the recommendation is made 

 that the test be checked by the use of multiple a specific extracts. 



Experiments on the detection of anaphylaxis in horses affected with 

 glanders, O. Waldmann {Arch. Wiss. u. Prakt. Ticrheilk., 44 {1918), No. 3-4, 

 pp. 253-289). — The effects of intravenous injections of various preparations of 

 glanders bacilli into 31 glandered and 11 glanders-free horses were studied for 

 the purpose of determining ^yhether the introduction of such antigens causes 

 a state of anaphylaxis in glandered horses. 



The SMisitiveness produced was shown to be of the nature of the reaction 

 produced In the mallein test rather than a phenomenon of anaphylaxis, as the 

 reaction in sick and well horses differed only in degree and no subsequent 

 state of antianaphylaxis was produced. The conclusion is drawn that the 

 reaction can not be used with certainty for the purpose of diagnosing glanders. 



Habronemic conjunctivitis, J. C. Lewis and H. R. Seddon {Jour. Com par. 

 Path, and Ther., 31 {1918), No. 2, pp. 87-94, figs. 2). — Four cases are reported 

 and discussed. 



The histology of the lesions of Johne's disease, J. M'Fadyean {Jour. 

 Compar. Path, and Ther., 31 {1918), No. 2, pp. 73-87, figs. 16).— A report of a 

 hlstopathological study. 



