1919] VETERIITARY MEDICII^E. 189 



is considered of greater value in an antiseptic tlian toxic action or rapid de- 

 struction of the bacteria. 



" It is not essential tliat tlie chemical agent sliould by itself actually kill 

 the organisms. Highly successful results can be obtained by a cooperation 

 of the antiseptic and the tissues, so that the pathogenic action of the organ- 

 isms is restrained. The flavins, in virtue of their low toxicity to mammalian 

 tissues and their high bacteriostatic power, are therefore specially suited to 

 act as local therapeutic agents. In addition, the fact that they are not neu- 

 tralized by admixture with serum enables them to be applied clinically by a 

 relatively simple method which does not necessitate frequent renewal." 



The bactericidal value of the new disinfectant " Victoria ", P. de Gaspeki 

 (Arch. Sci. Med. Vet. [Turin], 16 (1918), No. 7-12, pp. 51-102}..— An investiga- 

 tion is reported of the antiseptic action of a new disinfectant " Victoria " on 

 anthrax spores. Staphylococcus pyogenes aureus, Bacillus paratyphosus B, and 

 B. pyocyaneus. " Victoria " is essentially a soap solution containing 9 per cent 

 of formalin, corresponding to 3.6 per cent of formaldehyde. Three forms arc 

 on the market in Italy for personal, domestic, and veterinary use. The first 

 two, which differ only in quality of the castor oil used for saponification, con- 

 tain a small amount of alcohol and odorous essences, while the third contains 

 in addition some phenol. 



As a result of the reported tests the conclusion is drawn that these prepara- 

 tions, while not destroying spores completely, can be used to advantage in the 

 prophylaxis of the majority of the common infective and contagious diseases of 

 animals. It is recommended that the disinfectant be applied in as concentrated 

 a solution as possible and in amounts in excess of the material to be dis- 

 infected. 



The local use of antianthrax serum in treatment of anthrax, J. C. Regan 

 (Jour. Amer. Med. Assoc, 72 {1919), No. 24, pp. 1724, 1725). — A report is given 

 of the successful treatment of anthrax (human) by the injection of anti- 

 anthrax serum locally around the lesion. The injection of from 10 to 15 cc. of 

 the serum was made very slowly with an antitoxin needle and syringe, the needle 

 being introduced in three places in the tissue just outside the margin of the 

 lesion. The serum was administered once daily till the local process was con- 

 trolled. It is considered that two or three injections will usually suffice, but 

 that the local measures must be accompanied by suitable general treatment 

 such as intramuscular or intravenous injections of the serum. The local treat- 

 ment to be successful must anticipate the onset of anthrax septicemia. 



The special advantages of this method of local treatment over the customary 

 measures of excision, cauterization, etc., are said to be the absence of excessive 

 scar formation and of toxic and poisonous symptoms. 



Studies on the nature of the antibodies in glanders, W. Bueow (Arch. 

 Wiss. u. Prakt. Tierheilk., .^^ (1918), Sup., pp. 464-472).— A brief report is given 

 of studies with active glanders serum, from which the conclusion is drawn that 

 the antibody or " interfering substance "' in the serum is of the nature of a 

 soluble euglobulin, insoluble in ether and alcohol and completely destroyed by 

 heating for 20 minutes at 70° C. 



Glanders; reinfection and etiology, ScHiJTZ {Arch. Wiss. u. Prakt. Tier- 

 heilk., 44 {1918), No. S-4, pp. 115-126).— This is a theoretical discussion of the 

 subject on the basis of observations of the differences between Russian and 

 German horses in the susceptibility to glanders and the course taken by the 

 disease. Special attention is given to the so-called latent form of the disease, 

 the course of which is compared with malaria in man. The question is raised 

 as to the possibility of immunizing horses during this latent period in a similar 

 manner to methods now in use for acquiring immunity to malaria. 



