120 ABSTRACTS 



Further Studies on the Influence of a Lactose-Containing Diet upon the 



Intestinal Flora. Thomas G. Hull and Leo F. Rettger. 



An ordinary bread and lettuce diet to which is added a considerable 

 amount of lactose will simplify the intestinal flora of the white rat to a 

 single group of organisms — the aciduric group. Milk has the same 

 effect but to a less degree. In rats that have been kept on a high pro- 

 tein diet, B. Welchii and B. coli are prominent. When lactose is added 

 to this diet the process is much the same as before but slower. All of 

 the Welch bacilli and most of the colon bacilli disappear within five to 

 ten days. The addition of meat to the lactose diet has very little 

 effect if the aciduric flora has been previously established. Milk has but 

 a slight effect upon the meat flora, probably due to the small amount of 

 lactose present. 



Three to four hours after feeding a meal containing dry lactose, sugar 

 can be found in suspension for the entire length of the intestine, as well 

 as in the feces. If the lactose is in solution when it is fed, it can be 

 found as far as the ileum. Thus it is seen how lactose, being slowly 

 absorbed, favors the multiplication of the aciduric group. 



The reaction of the intestine apparently has little effect upon the 

 flora, the acidity being no greater with the simplified flora than with 

 the mixed flora. 



Feeding Experiments with Bacterium pullorum. The Toxicity of In- 

 fected Eggs. Leo F. Rettger, Thomas G. Hull and Willl^m S. 

 Sturges, Yale University. 



The problem of eradicating ovarian infection in the domestic fowl 

 must needs assume still greater importance than heretofore, in the 

 light of recently acquired data. Not only is it of the greatest signifi- 

 cance to eliminate the permanent carriers of B. pullorum from all 

 flocks of fowls from the standpoint of successful poultry breeding, but 

 also because they constitute a possible source of danger to man. 



Eggs which harbor B. pullorum in the yolk in large numbers may 

 produce abnormal conditions, when fed, not only in young chicks, but 

 in adult fowls, young rabbits, guinea pigs and kittens. The "toxicity" 

 for young rabbits is most pronounced, the infection usually resulting 

 in the death of the animals. In kittens the most prominent symptoms 

 are those of severe food poisoning with members of the para-typhoid 

 group of bacteria. The possibility of infected eggs causing serious 

 disturbances in young children and in the sick and convalescent of all 

 ages must therefore receive due consideration. 



Ovarian infection of fowls is very common throughout this country. 

 Hence a large porportion of the marketed eggs must be infected with 

 B. pullorum. The latter conclusion is warranted by the fact that of 

 more than 13,000 fowls which were tested by the agglutination method 

 fully ten per cent were positive, and therefore gave unmistakable 

 evidence of infection with the organism in question. When eggs 

 which harbor B. pullorum are allowed to remain in nests under broody 

 hens, or in warm storage places, for comparatively few hours, they con- 

 tain large numbers of the organisms. 



