808 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



the animals died within about 60 hours. Post-mortem examinations made on such 

 cases showed the presence of Strongylus gracilis, and the disease is therefore to be 

 considered as of parasitic origin. 



Mortality in cattle caused by eating- poison tulip, J. I). Stewart {Agr. Gaz. 

 X. S. Wales, 16 (1905), No. 10, pp. 9.56-959, figs. 3).— In a herd of 96 cattle 25 died 

 from eating Hbmeria miniata. In some cases death occurred within a few hours, 

 while other cases lingered for 2 or 3 days and some recovered. The mucous mem- 

 brane of the fourth stomach and of the [intestines was greatly inflamed. Feeding 

 experiments showed that 3 oz. of the plant was sufficient to cause serious symptoms 

 of poisoning in heifers. 



On the occurrence of hydrocyanic acid in Johnson grass, M. E. Jaffa ( Cal. 

 Bd. Health Mo. Bui., 1 (1905), No. 2, pp. 11, 12).— The death of cattle in Los Banos, 

 California, was reported as due to eating Johnson grass. A preliminary analysis of 

 this grass showed conclusively that it contained hydrocyanic acid. A quantity of 

 fresh Johnson grass was then obtained, and upon analysis was found to contain 0.05 

 per cent hydrocyanic acid, while barnyard grass from the same locality contained no 

 poison. 



The poisonous action of Johnson grass, A. C. Crawford ( U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Bur. Plant Indus. Bui. 90, pt. 4, pp. 6). — The literature relating to the chemistry of 

 Johnson grass and related species is briefly reviewed in connection with bibliograph- 

 ical notes. Some reports have been received since 1902 regarding the supposed 

 poisonous action of this grass. In a sample obtained from Santa Rosa, California, 

 positive tests for hydrocyanic acid were obtained. The grass is reported as poison- 

 ous when grown on either irrigated or nonirrigated lands, but especially so when the 

 grass matures rapidly. 



Diseases of sheep, T. W. Cave (Jour. Southeast. Agr. Col. Wye, 1905, No. 14, pp. 

 239-244, fig. 1). — The author discusses pernicious anemia in sheep due to the pres- 

 ence of Strongylus contortus in the fourth stomach. Many cases of this disease came 

 under his attention. The worm is described and notes are given on its life history. 

 The best means of preventing infestation is to keep close watch upon the condition of 

 the water supply of sheep. 



Anthrax in the horse, J. R. McCall ( Vet'. Rec, 18 (1905), No. 911, pp. 429, 

 430). — A brief account is given of this disease in horses with special reference to a 

 case in which the symptoms develop very rapidly, resulting in death. The source 

 of infection was probably turnips which came from a neighborhood where anthrax 

 had occurred. It was also possible that infection was spread to some extent by traffic 

 in wool which was carried on in connection with the same stable. Judging from the 

 clinical symptoms in this case, the bacilli gained entrance through the lymphatics of 

 the throat. 



Variations in the content of agglutinins and precipitins in the blood 

 during an infection with glanders, A. Bonome (Centbl. Bakt. [etc.], 1. Abt., Orig., 

 38 (1905), Xos. 5, pp. 601-611; 6, pp. 732-740).— The experiments reported in this 

 paper were carried out on horses, asses, cats, and guinea pigs. 



The blood serum of horses during experimental infection with glanders and also 

 during artificial immunization against the glanders bacillus shows a pronounced 

 increase in the agglutinin content. This increase takes place more rapidly after 

 inoculation through the nasal mucous membrane than when infection takes place 

 through the alimentary tract. During the period of mallein reaction the agglutinat- 

 ing power of the blood of glanderous horses is increased. The same may be said for 

 the blood of horses which no longer react to mallein. 



It was found that the agglutinating power of the serum of glanderous horses was 

 entirely destroyed by heating for 1 hour at a temperature of 62 to 65° C. The 

 agglutinating power reappears, however, upon the addition of normal serum of other 

 animals in the proportion of 1:2. ■ 





