VETEKINARY SCIENCE AND PRACTICE. 403 



The existence of hemolytic alexin in the blood plasma, A. Falloise {Bui. 

 Acad. Roy. Belg. CI. ScL, 1903, No. 6, pp. 521-596). — The author conducted experi- 

 ments upon a number of mammals and birds, including dogs, rabbits, cattle, sheep, 

 pigs, pigeons, and other species of birds. The results obtained indicate that an 

 alexin exists in the blood plasma in all these animals. This alexin was found with- 

 out regard to whether the blood had been treated with a chemical reagent or not. 

 it is argued, therefore, that this alexin is secreted by the leucocytes in the circu- 

 lating blood, and that these blood elements therefore play an important part in 

 immunity. 



The active substance of normal sera — The plurality of alexins, L. Remy 

 [Ann. Inst. Pastetir, 17 {1903), No. 5, pp. 343-356) .—Dwr'mg these experiments, which 

 were conducted chiefly with the serum of rats, it was found that the serum of these 

 animals when not heated exercises a destructive influence upon the majority of bac- 

 teria. The action of a temperature of 5& to 56° C. for 35 minutes attenuates without 

 destroying the bactericidal properties of the serum. The bactericidal substance 

 which resists the action of heat is an alexin. This alexin in the serum of rats resists 

 a temperature of 55 to 56° C. and is therefore considered not to be hemolytic, since 

 it does not have the power of enforcing hemosera. 



Staphylococci and staphylolysin, P. van Dl-rme {Hijg. Rundschau, IS {1903), 

 No. 2, pp. 66-68). — Experiments with different species of Staphylococci showed that 

 there is a close connection between the pathogenic action and the hemolytic power 

 of these organisms. The formation of hemolysin is much less extensive in the case 

 of S. alltus, as might be expected from its slighter }iathogenic power. 



Successful treatment of fatal intraperitoneal streptococcal infections in 

 rabbits by means of injections of pyocyanase, R. Emmerich and R. Tromms- 

 DORFF, Ccntbl. Bakt. u. Far., 1. Ab(., 33 {1903), No. 8, Orig., pp. 627-633, figs. 2).— 

 During a series of experiments by the authors it was found that 31 per cent of rabbits 

 treated with pyocyanase successfully resisted fatal intraperitoneal do-^es of strepto- 

 cocci, and 46 per cent of the rabbits thus treated were favorably influenced by the 

 treatment, but ultimately succumbed to the infection. 



The influence of diphtheria and tetanus toxins on hemoglobin and on the 

 morphology and specific gravity of the blood, H. Kucharzewski {CentU. Bakt. 

 u. Par., 1. AJd., 34 {1903), No. 4, Orig., pp. 381-384). — The experiments reported in 

 this paper were made on rabbits. It was found that the diphtheria toxin in large 

 or medium doses caused a diminution in the number of red blood corpuscles and in 

 the quantity of hemoglobin. Small doses were without effect. When large doses 

 of toxin were used the density of the blood was increased and a hyperleucocytosis 

 was observed. Inoculation with tetanus toxin also diminished the number of red 

 blood corpuscles and the quantity of hemoglobin, and diminished the density of the 

 blood. 



Antiferments, E. Weixlaxd {Ztschr. Biol., 44 {1902), No. 1, pp. 1-15).— The 

 purpose of the experiments reported in this jiaper was to determine the cause of 

 resistance of intestinal worms to the action of the digestive juices of the host animals. 

 The worms upon which exi^eriments were made included cysticerci of a number of 

 species, Ascaris suilla, Txnia expansa, and T. iticdiocaradUda. An antiferment was 

 extracted from the bodies of the worms, which had the effect of protecting fibrin 

 and other readily digestible substances against the action of proteolytic ferments. 

 The protection furnished by the antiferment was not unlimited in time or extent, 

 but was sufliciently pronounced to indicate that the antiferment Avas capable of pro- 

 tecting the parasitic worms against the action of digestive juices. The antiferment 

 was not readily extracted. A second extract contained more of the antiferment than 

 the first. 



The nonidentity of agglutinins acting upon the flagella and upon the body 

 of bacteria, T. Smith and A. L. REAtui {Jour. Med. Research, 10 {1903), No. 1, pp. 

 89-100). — During a series of experiments made by the authors it was found that the 



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