VETKRTNARV MEDICINE. 483 



Inspection of pork in cases of diamond-skin disease for virulent bacilli of 

 swine erysipelas. A. Sciiuii (Dciil. Ticriirzll. Wclnisvlir., Jil (l!)08), Aos. 16, 

 III). ^2',)-.i3G ; 17, pp. 2fi5-2JiS). — Sauii)les were taken from the musculature and 

 various organs of 23 bogs affected with swine erysipelas. Microscopic exam- 

 ination was made of this material and inoculation tests were carried on to 

 determine the presence and virulence of the bacilli of swine erysipelas. 



It was found that in bogs in which a fresh infection of the diseast^ prevailed 

 and in which nunicrous small dianion(l-sha|»ed areas had appeared but had not 

 yet become reddened the bacilli of swine erysipelas were present in the organs 

 as shown by the inoculation of minute particles of tissue in white mice. In 

 more advanced cases showing numerous red patches on the skin the bacilli 

 were demonstrated both in cultures and from the inoculation of mice. Similar 

 material taken from cases of the disease in later stages showed that the 

 bacilli are sometimes present and sometimes absent from the organs. By 

 taking a number of samples of tissue, however, it was found that in every 

 case of swine erysipelas to be recognized clinically, virulent bacilli were 

 present, as demonstrated by inoculation of white or gray nnce. The bacilli 

 could not be demonstrated in the organs of hogs on which the si>ots did not 

 appear during life, but only after scalding. 



On a spirochete occurring' in the blood of chickens in northern India, 11. E, 

 MoN'TdOMKHY {Jour. Tiop. Yct. /S'cf., .J (lilOS), Xo. 1, pp. 1-2, pis. 2, p(j. /). — 

 The author has observed the unusual prevalence of Ai(/<is pcr.sicit.'i in various 

 parts of India. In an outbreak of the disease among chickens spiroclietes 

 were found in the blood in large numbers both before and after death. By 

 experimental tests it was found that the s[)irocbetes could be transferre<l from 

 one animal to another through the agency of .1. pcisicu.'i. The period of incu- 

 bation varies from 1 to 4 days. The morphology of 8j>irocIi(ct(( {/(lUiiKintin is 

 described in detail. In the author's opinion the possibility is not excluded that 

 the human spirochete of India may be inoculable into chickens or vice versa. 



Streptococcic diseases of fowls, I^. Grkvk ( Dnif. Ticriirzll. Wrtinsclir., 10 

 {1908), No. 15, pp. 213-215). — Occasion was had to examine fowls affected with 

 a kind of sleeping sickness due to strei)tococci. The micro-organisms were 

 found in large numbers in the blood. By means of inoculation experiments it 

 was shown that the disease may be transmitted to pigeons and mice. Ap- 

 parently the disease is not rapidly transmitted by mere contact with affected 

 fowls. 



Infectious leukemia in ducks, C. J. Bound [QKccn.sldiKl Af/r. Jour.. 20 

 (190S), No. 3, pp. 13()-138). — An outbreak of infectious leukemia occurred in 

 ducks causing a mortality of 00 per cent or more. The disease runs a course 

 of 7 to 14 days and the incubation period ranges from 3 to 5 days. The micro- 

 organism found in cases of this disease is described and notes are given on 

 its behavior in various culture media. Xo remedial treatment seems to be of 

 avail and the author, thei'efore. recommends the isolation of diseased birds and 

 thorough disinfection. 



A plague affecting canary birds, W. Zwick (Zf.sc//r. lafvldlon-skraul:. ii. 

 Ihlf). Il(iiislicn\ 'i {i:i08), \(>. 1-2, pp. 33-.'i9. pi. 1, fig.^. 5). — According to the 

 available litei-ature on this subject there apiiear to be five distinct infectious 

 diseases which affect canary birds. The author had occasion to study a serious 

 outbreak of an infectious disease among these birds. The feathers api)eared 

 ruffled, the appetite was soon lost, the head was held for the most part under 

 the wing or in the feathers, and in most cases death took place within from 24 

 to .">(■> liours. An organism was isolated from affected birds and its behavior 

 was studied on various culture media. The bacillus in ipiestion apitears not 

 to form a lillcrablc toxin. Pigeons and chickens are not sus<-eptibl(' to the 



