924 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The occurrence of trichina in the badger, Luhkk {Ztschr. Fleisch u. MUchhyg., 

 13 {1903), No. 4, pp. 11'!, I17,ji(j. 1). — Tricliiiia has frequently been found in l)adgers, 

 and since these animals are used as luinian food in certain mountainous regions, a 

 n\nnber of cases of tricliinosis have developed as a result. The author calls attention 

 to the fact that badgers frecjuently catch and eat mice and rats, an<l the infestation 

 of tile l>adgers with tricliin.i' is tiius explained. 



The significance of rabies lesions in the nervous system, F. J. Bosc (Comjit. 

 Rend. Soc. Biol. Puri.'i, 55 {1!I03), No. 31, pp. US4-1.'8H). — N(jtes are given on the 

 lesions which develop during the progress of rabies in various parts of the nervous 

 system. In general the lesions caused bj' rabies virus in the nervous system are 

 almost itlentical in detail and as a whole with those of sheep pox. 



The histological diagnosis of rabies in the dog, A. II.\biea(jx {Ann. Soc. Agr. 

 Sci. el Ind. Ltjon, 7. ser., 10 {190J), pp. Cl-l^, figs<. 3). — The- author describes the 

 various lesions in the nervous system which have been mentioned by various authors 

 as of importance in the diagnosis of rabies. Attention is called to the great impor- 

 tance of making an accurate and certain diagnosis of this disease, and it is urged that 

 absolute dependence can not be placed on the lesions in the nervous sy.«tem caused 

 by the development of rallies. These lesions, however, are believed by the author 

 to be almost always diagnostic and to assist greatly in rendering a certain diagnosis. 



The isolation of rabies virus by filtration, P. Kemlinger {C'ompt. Rend. Soc. 

 Blol. Paris, 55 {1903), No. 33, pp. 1433, 1444)- — In order to obtain rabies virus free 

 from contamination with micro-organisms of known size the author believes that 

 the best results are to be obtained by repeateil passage through filters small enough 

 to exclude all otiier organisms. 



The micro-organism of rabies discovered by Negri, 'SI. Beck {Fortschr. Vet. 

 Hyg., 1 {1903), No. 9, pp. 2J3, 254). — According to the author's experience the pro- 

 tozoan organism claimed by Negri to be the cause of rabies must be recognized as 

 such. It is stated that the organism was found in 47 out of 72 cases of rabies. 



The toxin of the organism of dog distemper, C. Phisalix and J. Lignieres 

 {Compt. Rend. Soc. Biol. Paris, 55 {1903), Nos. 24, pp. 915-924; 25, pp. 980-982; 26, 

 pp. 1031-1023 ; 27, pp. 10S5-10S9) . — This is a series of controversial articles relating 

 to the general subject of the etiology and treatment of distemper of dogs. Accord- 

 ing to Phisalix if dogs are inoculated intravenously with very virulent cultures of 

 Fasteurella cavise or P. ranis the first symptoms of inoculation are rapidly observed. 

 P. cants is said to produce in artificial cultures a solul)le toxin which acts on the 

 nervous system and produces digestive disturbances. 



In some of the experiments of Lignieres the vaccine recommended by Pliysalix 

 was found to have little or no effect in increasing the resistance of dogs to distemper, 

 while a polyvalent vaccine obtaiiied by Lignieres appeared to prevent the fatal de- 

 velopment of the disease in many instances. Phisalix claims that according to ordi- 

 nary methods of treatment from 25 to 80 per cent of affected dogs die of the disease. 

 In his experiments, however, only 18 out of 985 vaccinated dogs died of distemper. 

 Detailed statistics are presented on this point and the conclusion is drawn by Phisalix 

 that success was had in the use of his vaccination method in about 98 per cent of 

 cases. 



There is not a strict agreement between the 2 authors regarding the nature of the 

 organism which is the cause of dog distemjier, but it is believed to l)e a Pasteurella. 

 Phisalix admitn a lack of success in some exj^eriments, but maintains that under ordi- 

 nary conditions the use of his vaccine method is attended with excellent results. 

 On the other hand Lignieres maintains that, should the vaccine be as effective as 

 claimed by Phisalix, it is necessary that it contain an antitoxin. Such, however, can 

 not be the case from the nature of its preparation. Lignieres admits that the vacci- 

 nation method of Phisalix has an evident value, but is less certain in its results than 

 claimed by Phisalix. 



