VETERINARY SCIENCE AND PRACTICE. 189 



undertaken for the purpose of studying the variations in virulence in tubercle bacilU 

 of human origin. It was found in making pure cultures from this material that suc- 

 cess was to be expected only in cases where the tubercle bacilli were not associated 

 with other organisms. In cases of mixed infection the other organisms appear to 

 check the development of the tubercle bacilli. In 86 per cent of cases of surgical 

 tuberculosis in man success was had in cultivating the bacilli from the material thus 

 obtained. It was found that from material which contained but very few isolated 

 tubercle bacilli cultures could easily be made on a 5 per cent glycerin-potato medium. 

 This method proved a more successful test for the presence of tubercle bacilli than 

 inoculation experiments with animals. The variations in color of different cultures 

 from yellowish to red or blackish brown are considered as due largely to the compo- 

 sition of the medium ratlier than to the differences in virulence of the bacilli. Ureat 

 differences are observed in the development of the disease in rabbits of the same 

 weight inoculated with equal doses. These differences are ascribed strictly to varia- 

 tions in individual susceptibility. Generalized tuberculosis was produced in rabbits 

 within from 30 to 40 days after intravenous inoculation with from 0.25 to 10 mg. of 

 material obtained from pure cultures of human origin. The authors call attention 

 to the danger of ascribing the differences in the lesions found in different animals to 

 differences in virulence of the bacilli concerned. It is believed to be safer to ascribe 

 this phenomena to differences in individual resisting power and susceptibility. 

 Tubercle bacilli which were subjected to the action of iodoform were found not to 

 lose their virulence to anj' apjireciable extent. 



A method of testing the agglutination of tubercle bacilli, A. Koppen ( Centhl. 

 Bah. II. Par., 34 {1903), No. 1, Orig., pp. 6-13). — Some of the more important litera- 

 ture on this subject is briefly criticised. The author argues that great care should be 

 exercised in preparing sera for testing agglutination, in order that one may be sure 

 that the result is a true agglutination and not a mere chemical precipitation. 



Report of commission on tuberculosis in animals, F. Dye {New Jersey State 

 Bd. Agr. Bpt. 1902, pp. 161-168). — The State has increased the amount of appropria- 

 tion for carrying on the work of suppressing tuberculosis. The commission appointed 

 for this purjiose is investigating dairy herds and other herds in which outbreaks of 

 tul)ei'culosis are reported. The average indemnity price paid for diseased cattle was 

 $22.79. Notes are also given on the application of the tuberculin test. 



Combating tuberculosis in Denmark, E. Power {Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 5 

 {1903), No. 18, ji}). 574-576). — The system of governmental control of bovine tuber- 

 culosis in Denmark has been gradually perfected since 1893, and the many beneficial 

 results which have been brought about by this system are briefly described Ijy the 

 author. 



Tuberculosis and the use of tuberculin, W. Robertson {Agr. Jour. Cape Good 

 Hope, 23 {1903), No. 5, pp. 528-539, pis. 2). — The author mentions the animals which 

 are most susceptible to tuberculosis and briefiy describes the natural channels of 

 infection with this disease in cattle. Notes are also given on the symptoms and 

 pathological lesions, and on the comparative frequency of the invasion of different 

 parts and organs of the body. The nature of tuberculin is discussed, and directions 

 are given for making tuberculin tests and for keeping herds of cattle free from 

 tuberculosis. 



The occurrence of tubercle bacilli in the milk of reacting cows, (). Sten- 

 STKOM (Ztsclir. TliiermtfJ., 6 (1902), No. 4, p]>- 241-257). — In experiments reported in 

 this paper the author sought to determine the stage which tuberculosis nuist reach 

 in cattle before the milk becomes infectious. Some of the cows from which the 

 milk was obtained were affected with latent tuberculosis, while others were diseased 

 to such an extent as to present clinical symptoms. None, however, were affected 

 with the mammary fonii of the disease. Rabbits and guinea jiigs were used for the 

 experimental animals. In all 83 inoculations wore made with the milk from these 



