476 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.41 



Observations on the chemotherapy of bacterial infections, with special ref- 

 erence to experimental pneumococcus infection, C. H. Browning and R. Gul- 

 BEANSEN {Jour. Path, and Bact., 22 (1919), No. 3-4, pp. 265-269 ) .—Experimental 

 proof is given that virulent organisms within the tissues — in the present case 

 pneumococci introduced into the peritoneal cavity of mice — can be effectively 

 dealt with by means of antiseptics, and that the result is obtained, not by 

 killing the organisms through the sole agency of the antiseptic, but through some 

 form of cooperation of the antiseptic and the tissues. 



The immunizing action of sodium chlorid against the anaphylactic injec- 

 tion (meta trophic therapy), C. Richet, P. Ekodin, and F. Saint-Gikons {Coinpt. 

 Rend. Acad. Sci. IParis], 169 {1919), No. 1, pp. 9-11).— T\\e authors state that, 

 while severe anaphylactic symptoms are produced in a dog by an injection of 

 50 cc. of horse plasma three weeks after a sensitizing injection of the same 

 plasma, such symptoms are entirely absent if, instead of using the pure plasma 

 for the second injection, the same quantity of the same plasma be used after 

 dilution with nine times its volume of an isotonic solution of sodium chlorid. 

 If an injection of the salt solution is made before the injection of the pure 

 plasma, the amount of salt must be gi-eatly increased owing to the extreme 

 rapidity of the elimination of the injected salt. 



The theory is advanced that the sodium chlorid impregnates the nerve cells 

 and immunizes them against the anaphylactic poison, and the possibility is 

 suggested of utilizing this phenomenon for the prevention of anaphylactic 

 shock. 



On the cultural characters of certain anaerobic bacteria isolated from war 

 wounds, R. S, Adamson {Jour. Path, and Bad., 22 {1919), No. 3-4, pp. 345-400, 

 pis. 5). — This paper, which forms the first part of a general investigation of the 

 bacteriology of wounds, deals solely with the cultural characteristics of strictly 

 anaerobic bacteria isolated from wound material, garden and pasture soil, 

 human and horse feces, and putrefying meat. 



Fifteen anaerobic organisms are described, of which 13 are spore-bearing 

 bacilli, one a bacillus without spores, and one an anaerobic diplococcus. The 

 spore-bearing bacilli have been classified in three groups based on their cultural 

 reactions. The first or proteolytic group consists of Bacillus osdewatis nmligni, 

 B. bifermentans sporogenes, and B. tetanoides. The second or saccharolytie 

 group comprises B. (crogenes capsulatus, B. butyricus, Vibrion septique, B. von 

 Hibler IX, and Bacillus E. The third group, possessing neither proteolytic nor 

 saccharolytie powers, consists of B. tetanoides (A), Bacillus L, Bacillus S, 

 and Macintosh's bacillus Type III (C). 



In addition to detailed descriptions of these organisms, the paper includes a 

 table of their cultural features, a list of 39 literature references, and several 

 plates including colored reiiresentations and photo-micrographs of some of the 

 cultures. 



Contributions to the biochemistry of pathogenic anaerobes, VI— VH, C. G. 

 L. Wolf (Jowr. Path, and Bact., 22 {1919), No. 3-4, pp. 270-307).— Two papers 

 are presented in continuation of the investigation previously noted (E. S. R., 

 40, p. 577). 



VI. TJie proteolytic action of Bacillus sporogenes {Metchnikoff) and B. 

 welchii (pp. 265-288). — In this paper the fermentation changes which take 

 place in a cooked-meat medium inoculated with B. tcclcliii and B. sporogenes 

 are reported. 



In a medium consisting solely of sterilized muscle and water both organisms 

 grew with great rapidity, forming large quantities of gas consisting of carbon 

 dioxid and hydrogen. The amount of gas formed per liter of medium was 

 about the same with both organisms. With B. sporogenes from 70 to 75 per 



