Aug. 15, 1919 Bacterium abortus Infection of Bulls 243 



EXAMINATION AND FINDINGS OF BULL 409 



August 15, f9i8. Agglutination test : 0.04 cc.+ , 0.02 cc. + , o. 01 cc. + , 

 0.005 cc. + . 



August 16, 1918. Slaughtered. 



Macroscopic examination. — Left seminal vesicle showed evidence of 

 disease. This organ was approximately twice the size of the right and 

 was incised with considerable difficulty on account of fibrous tissue pro- 

 liferation. The fluid contained was decidedly turbid. Other organs 

 presented a normal appearance. 



Microscopic examination. — Sections from the left seminal vesicle 

 showed marked proliferation of the interstitial tissue with areas of round- 

 cell infiltration. Degeneration and exfoliation of the epithelial cells lining 

 the acini were observed. A few of the acini contained cells and cell 

 detritus ; others had been completely obliterated as a result of the inflam- 

 matory process. (See PI. 23 B.) 



Bacteriological findings. — Two of the 20 tubes of medium that were 

 inoculated from the various organs developed colonies typical of Bad. 

 abortus. The colonies were few in number and appeared on but 2 of 5 

 tubes that were sown with material from near the same point. These 

 tubes were from the left seminal vesicle. All tubes inoculated from 

 other sources remained sterile. The infection was subsequently estab- 

 lished as Bad. abortus. 



It has been previously suggested that the intensity of the serum reac- 

 tions appeared to bear some relation to the cultural results. Of the 2>7 

 bulls exhibiting agglutinating properties for a Bact. abortus suspension, 

 the blood serum of but 7 caused perfect agglutination of a suspension 

 with o.oi cc. of the serum. It may be observed that 4 of these 7 animals 

 yielded positive cultural results and that in no instance was the presence 

 of the infection demonstrated in animals when their blood serum failed 

 to cause perfect agglutination with such an amount of serum. 



examination and findings of guernsey bull 



Since the isolation of Bad. abortus infection from the cases previously 

 described, the writers have had an opportunity to demonstrate the 

 presence of the infection and observe lesions in a fifth bull where the 

 isolation of abortion bacteria was carried out under different conditions 

 and where it was possible to obtain a somewhat more complete history 

 in regard to the development of the pathological changes that were 

 associated with the infection. 



This pure-bred Guernsey, 8 years of age, was acquired by the present 

 owner in June, 191 8, and appeared at the time to be in perfect physical 

 condition. 



The writers were informed that during the following January an asym- 

 metrical enlargement of the scrotum was noted. Mechanical injury was 



