VETERINARY SCIENCE AND PRACTICE. 719 



erinarv science in agricultural colleges. The author found in his experience that 

 students in such institutions were quite unequally prepared for veterinary instruc- 

 tion, and the various matters which are considered necessary for such instruction 

 are included in this volume. The subjects discussed by the author include anat- 

 omy, physiology, pathology, cause and prevention of disease, a description of the 

 common diseases of domesticated animals, obstetrics, and the administration of 

 medicines. 



Surgical and obstetrical operations for veterinary students and practi- 

 tioners, W. L. Williams {Ithaca, N. Y.: Author, 1903, pp. IX+210, figs. 48). — This 

 volume is based to a considerable extent upon Operationskursus, by W. Pfeiffer, 

 with numerous additions by the author. The subjects discussed include operations 

 on the head, neck, trunk, genital organs, extremities, and embryotomy. 



Annual report on progress in the field of pathogenic micro-organisms, 

 P. VON Baumc;.\rten and T. Tangl {Jahresher. Fortachr. Lehre Path. Micro-organ., 17 

 {1901), 2. Aht., pp. XIIArlll4)- — This report contains extended bibliographies 

 relating to pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and jirotozoa, together with brief abstracts of 

 the more important articles. The material is classified according to subject-mat- 

 ter, and the abstracts and related bibliograi^hical lists are brought together. Extended 

 author and subject indexes are added to the report. 



The most important Italian literature on general pathology and patho- 

 logical anatomy published in 1902, O. Barbacci {C'enthl. Allg. Path. x. Path. 

 Anat., 14 {1903), No. 16-17, pp. 673-709).— A. classified list is presented of Italian 

 literature published in 1902 relating to technique, methods of investigation, tumors, 

 cell structure, immunity, intoxications, infectious diseases, organic diseases, etc. A 

 brief abstract is given of the more important works. 



Immunity and narcosis, J. J. Snel {Berlin. Klin. Wchnschr., 40 {1903), No. 10, 

 pp. 212-214). — The experiments recorded in this paper were undertaken for the pur- 

 pose of determining the influence of narcosis upon the persistence of immunity. 

 Guinea pigs were used for the experiment and were inoculated with anthrax. The 

 narcotic substances used in these exiseriments included ether, chloroform, chloral 

 hydrate, and morphin. 



During these experiments it was found that a short narcosis produced bv ether did 

 not entirely destroy the bactericidal power of the lungs. The course of infection was 

 shorter, however, when the narcosis was continued for a longer period. The l)acte- 

 ricidal action of the lungs was restored soon after the narcosis was discontinued. 

 Similar results were obtained from the use of chloroform, chloral hydrate, and mor- 

 phin. In order to test the direct action of ether and chloroform upon anthrax 

 bacilli, a comparative experiment was made, during which it was found that white 

 mice inoculated with anthrax bacilli died within 24 hours, while mice inoculated 

 with cultures which had been subjected to ether or chloroform fumes for 4 hours 

 lived for periods ranging from 46 to 70 hours. 



The author believes as a result of these experiments that the influence of narcosis is 

 sufficient to bring about the death of infected animals as a result of the temporary 

 destruction of the bactericidal power of the lungs. 



The morphological processes in infection and immunity, A. Wolff {Berlin. 

 Klui. Wclmschr., 40 {1903), Xos. 17, pp. 387-391; 18, p. 414; 19, pp. 434-436; 20, pp. 

 456-459). — The author describes in detail the results of his study and observations 

 on this problem. It was found that the leucocytes were sensitive to the action of 

 iodin during infectious processes. There is no causal connection between iodin 

 reaction and the phenomena of leucocytosis. These results are believed to militate 

 against Metschnikoff's theory of immunity. In the peritoneal exudate of normal 

 guinea pigs the leucocytes were often entirely absent. 



The author's hypothesis (concerning the cause of death in infectious diseases is that 

 death takes place as a result of the absorption of bacterial products in the process of 



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