188 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 41 



Specific serotherapy of wounds and pyogenic infections, A. Guillaume and 

 G. BiTTNEB {Rev. Gdm. Mdd. Vet., 28 {1919), No. 327, pp. 113-136).— The authors 

 have supplemented their earlier report of the use of polyvalent serum for the 

 treatment of wounds (E. S. li., 37, p. 477) by a new series of observations of the 

 success of this treatment with wounds of all kinds and cases of general pyo- 

 genic infections in horses, dogs, etc. The results obtained confirm the earlier 

 conclusions as to the value of the treatment. 



Some observations on the use of boric acid as a disinfectant, F. W. Tanner 

 and R. S. Funk {Amer. Jour. Pharm., 91 (1919, No. 4, pp. 206-210). — The effi- 

 ciency of boric acid as a disinfectant was tested by inoculating media con- 

 taining different amounts of the boric acid with various organisms, incubating, 

 and comparing the growth obtained with controls containing no boric acid. 

 The silk-thread method was al.'-o used. 



The results indicate that boric acid possesses very little if any germicidal 

 action, and that any inhibitory power possessed by it is not constant. The 

 authors conclude that the use of this reagent in those cases where disinfection 

 is absolutely essential should be discontinued. 



Flavin and brilliant green, powerful antiseptics v/ith low toxicity to the 

 tissues: Their use in the treatment of infected wounds, C. H. Bbowning, R. 

 GiXLBRANSEN, E. L. Kennaway, and L. H, D. Thornton {Brit. Med. Jour., No. 

 2925 {1917), pp. 73-78).— As the result of a study of the bactericidal power of 

 various antiseptics in the presence of serum, flavin, a substance belonging to 

 the acridin group, is recommended as possessing extremely powerful bac- 

 tericidal and antiseptic properties which, unlike those of the other antiseptics 

 used, are enlianced rather than diminished by admixture with serum. It is 

 said to be less detrimental to the process of phagocytosis and less harmful to 

 the tissues than the other antiseptics tested, and consequently can be em- 

 ployed in higher concentrations without damaging the tissues or interfering 

 with the natural defensive mechanisms. Brilliant green was found to possess 

 similar properties to a less degree. 



The antiseptic properties of acriflavin and proflavin, and brilliant green; 

 with special reference to suitability for wound therapy, C. H. Browning, 

 R. Gulbbansen, and L. H. D. Thobnton {Brit. ifed. Jour., No. 2950 {1917), pp. 

 70-75, figs. Jf). — Certain features of these antiseptics are discussed in greater 

 detail than in the above article, and the essential differences between tlie 

 action of the flavins and brilliant green are pointed out. 



Both flavin and brilliant green are antiseptics which exert a slowly pro- 

 gressive bactericidal action. The flavin compounds (acriflavin and proflavin) 

 are enhanced in their bactericidal action by the presence of serum, while 

 brilliant green, in common with most other antiseptics, is reduced in its 

 activity by serum. For this reason brilliant green should be applied by re- 

 peated irrigation and flavin by means of gauze packing. 



The testing of antiseptics in relation to their use in wound treatment, 

 C. H. Browning and R. Gulbransen {Jour. Hya. [Cambridge], 18 {1919), No. 

 1, pp. 33-45). — This article deals with a number of points which have been 

 raised relative to the action of the flavins and brilliant green on bacteria as 

 noted above. The choice of a medium for testing antiseptics and the methods 

 of testing antiseptic potency are discussed, and further experiments are re- 

 ported on the variations in resistance of different organisms to flavins in a 

 serum medium. 



Serum is considere<^l the most rational medium for testing antiseptic action, 

 as serous exudate constitutes practically the diluent to which an antiseptic is 

 exposed In wounds. Bacteriostatic action (or inhibition of bacterial activity) 



