VETEKINAKY SCIENCE AND PRA(^TICE. 919 



Biolog-y of the anthrax bacillus and its demonstration in tho carcasses of 

 the larg-er domesticated animals, J. P>()N(ii:KT {('mllil. Iln/J. u. I'm:, I. Ahl., (h-i(/., 

 34 {1903), Nun. G,pp. 497-507; 7, pp. 623-(;30; S, pp. 772-79.i, ph. 3; .« {1903), A7w. 

 l,pp. 14-S4; ~, pp. lOS-201). — In the long series of expcriiiients reporto<l in this 

 article the author attempted to determine how long the anthrax baeillns coul<l be 

 di-monstrated successfully in the carcasses of animals dead of this disease, and also 

 to determine the most convenient and most reliable methods for identifying the 

 organism. The literature of the subjec^t is discussed in connection with a bibliog- 

 raphy. The experiments carried on by the author included the direct identifi»ation 

 of the anthrax bacillus by micro.scopic means, its demonstration by inoculation and 

 by l)lood cultures. A study was made of the most suitabl(> metluxls for ])reserving 

 anthrax material and for determining the conditions under which spore formation 

 takes place. The results of the examination of anthrax carcasses and streak blood 

 cultures and inoculation experiments made from such material are presented in a 

 tabular form. As a result of his studies the author concludes that the morphological 

 ilciiKinstration of anthrax by means of streak cultures is not a thoroughly reliable 

 method. The diagnosis of anthrax by inoculation of experimental animals some- 

 times fails on account of the interference of otlier micro-organisms. Blood cultures 

 are considered as furnishing the best means for determining anthrax bacillus. This 

 organism remains in a living condition for from 36 to 50 days, but only S to 20 days 

 in decomposing dried l)lood or the fluids of different tissues. If animal material 

 containing anthrax bacilli is kept upon impervious substrata, the bacilli are destroyed 

 under the action of initrefying ba<'teria without forming spores. It was found that 

 the anthrax l)acillus can multiply and form spores in a very dilute solution of blood 

 in distillf(l water. 



Morphology and chemo-biology of the anthrax bacillus and the bacillus of 

 malignant edema, R. Grassberger and A. Schattenfroii {Arch. Ilycj., 4^ {1903), 

 Nil. 1, ])}). 1-105, ph. 11). — The work reported in this study included a comparison 

 of the morphological and biological characters of the bacilli of blackleg and malig- 

 nant edema. It was found that these organisms are not always easily differentiated. 

 There are intermediate forms which are pathogenic for mice and rabl)its, like the 

 bacillus of malignant edema, while at the same time tliey show characters which 

 belong to the bacillus of blackleg. Two distinct forms of blackleg bacillus were 

 isolated, one motile without tlagella and without spores, and the other with spores 

 and Hagella. 



Cases of anthrax -without marked elevation of temperature, (f. H. Gibbings 

 {Jour. Comp. P(Uh. and Ther., 16 {1903), No. 2, pp. 109, 170) .~::\oics are given on 2 

 cases of anthrax in which the temperature rose only to 102 and 103° F., respectively. 

 One ca.se ran a fatal course and in the other recovery took i)lace after a1)out a week. 

 These cases are described for the purjjose of calling attention to the necessity of 

 precaution in diagnosing anthrax. 



A peculiar staining reaction of the blood of animals dead of anthrax, J. 

 ]M'Fai)VEAN {.Tonr. Comp. I'dOi. mid Ther., 10 {1903), No. 1, jtp. 35-40, pi. 1) . — In exam- 

 ining the blood from animals dead of anthrax under a magnification of 8tl0 to 1,000 

 diameters it is observed that the nuclei of the leucocytes exhibit a greenish-blue tint, 

 while the anthrax rods are blue. The segmented character of the rods is quite 

 aj)parent. 



The characteristic feature of the staining reaction is found in the color of the amor- 

 phous material around the bacilli. This material exists in tiie form of granules of a 

 violet or reddish-purple color. The material w Inch thus stains violet with an a()ueous 

 solution of methylene l)lue is believed to be derived from the bacterial envelop. 

 According to the author's experience this reaction is always o])taine(l from anthrax 

 l)Iood, but it is not recommended that the reaction be depended upon exclusively 

 in the diagnosis of anthrax. 



