1919] VETERINARY MEDICINE. 191 



The detection of tuberculous meat by means of the precipitin reaction, 

 L. Geanucci {Clin. Vet. IMilan], Rass. Pol. Sanit. e Ig., J^l (1919), No. 15, pp. 

 S77-383). — The precipitin reaction was found to be of no value in testing beef 

 for the presence of tubercular infection. 



Passive anaphylaxis for the detection of tuberculous meat, L. Obanttcci 

 (Clin. Vet. [Milan], Rass. Pol. Sa^iit. e Ig., 42 (1919), No. 4, pp. 115-126) .— Evi- 

 dence, is given indicating that muscular plasma of tuberculous cattle vrhen 

 injected into rabbits pi-oduces a state of hypersensitiveness by means of which 

 passive anaphylaxis is caused on the subsequent injection of tuberculin. The 

 reaction may be considered to be specific in that control rabbits inoculated 

 with the plasma from the flesh of healthy animals do not show true anaphy- 

 laxis. The anaphylactic state may be conferred upon other normal rabbits but 

 in an attenuated form. 



The author is of the opinion that the anaphylaxis test will be of considerable 

 value to meat inspectors. 



Oak-leaf poisoning of domestic animals, C. D. Marsh, A. B. Clawson, and 

 H. Marsh {U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 767 (1919), pp. 36, figs. 19).— This is a report 

 of investigations conducted with cattle at Salina, Utah, during the summers of 

 1915-1918 in which the scrub oak of Utah {Quercus gambellii) was fed, and 

 at Monahans, Tex., from March 20 to May 20, 1917, in which " shinnery " oak 

 (Q. Tiavardi) was fed. A preliminary account has previously been noted (E. 

 S. R., 39, p. 386). 



It was found that continuous feeding on oak leaves may produce sickness 

 which sometimes will have a fatal termination. " The specially marked symp- 

 toms are constipation, feces containing mucus and blood, emaciation, and edema. 

 A diet composed exclusively of oak leaves does not form a sufficiently nutritious 

 diet to permit normal gains in weight. Oak leaves with a small quantity of 

 other feed may provide a maintenance ration. It has been found experi- 

 mentally that as small a quantity of alfalfa hay as 3 lbs. will supplement the 

 oak for this purpose. Oak leaves may produce injurious effects at any season. 

 Most of the cases, however, occur in the spring, because on the range at that 

 time thei'e is a scarcity of other forage and the young oak leaves are attractive. 

 While cattle later in the season may eat largely of oak, more or less other 

 forage is available and no harmful results are experienced. The ' summer- 

 sickness ' of the Utah ranges is identical with so-called oak-brush poisoning." 



The investigations have shown that during the summer and fall the oak- 

 brush ranges of Utah can be used for grazing, not only with no harm to 

 cattle but with positive benefit. The admission of cattle to oak-brush ranges 

 before the grass has been started, however, practically compels the cattle to 

 eat oak, as that is the only forage available. On the shinnery ranges, as on 

 the oak ranges in Utah, the danger to cattle is from an exclusive diet of oak. 

 These ranges can be used without loss, provided a comparatively small quantity 

 of other feed is available. 



Studies in abortion disease, H. R. Seddon (Jour. Compar. Path, and TJier., 

 32 (.1919), No. 1, pp. 1-34, figs. 11).— A detailed study is reported of the re- 

 liability of the agglutination test for contagious abortion, as determined by the 

 results of its application to a large herd of cattle in which a number of abor- 

 tions had occurred previously and during the time of the investigation. As 

 far as possible the agglutination titre of each sample of serum was determined, 

 milk testings (by inoculation of guinea pigs) were made, and aborted fetuses, 

 membranes, and vaginal discharges were examined. In interpreting the re- 

 sults of the agglutination test, the reaction was considered positive whjen 



