362 ABSTRACTS 



One theory commonly held to explain these results is that carbon 

 bisulphid kills certain of the micro-organisms, thus allowing other 

 kinds to increase to abnormal numbers and to supply the plants with 

 an unusual amount of available nutrient matter. Another theory, 

 held by A. Koch, is that the carbon bisulphid in the small quantities 

 used is a direct stimulant to bacteria and to higher plants. 



The writer's data tend to support Koch's theory. Carbon bisul- 

 phid does not act alike in all soils or toward all crops. There is 

 an increased growth of plants in sand culture (pure silica sand with 

 nutrient solution added) as well as in soil. Of all the crops investigated, 

 mustard (which contains sulphur) receives the most striking benefit 

 from the treatment (except in acid soils). Next to mustard comes 

 rape, then red clover, then buckwheat, then oats, while corn is scarcely 

 benefited if at all. — H. J. C. 



BACTERIOLOGY OF THE MOUTH 



Deep Seated Alveolar Infections. M. L. Rhein. (Surg., Gynecol., 



and Obstet., 1916, 22, 33-37.) 



One case of arthritis is mentioned. Streptococcus viridans was 

 isolated from the pulp of an apparently sound tooth. Patient made 

 good recovery. — C. P. B. 



The Dental Aspect of the Relation of Endamoeba to Pyorrhea Alveolaris. 



W. A. Price, D.D.S., M.S. (Surg., Gynecol., and Obstet., 1916, 



22, 37^3.) 



The author's subject was really Cinematographic Film studies 

 showing the movements of mouth organisms, including endamoeba. 

 This method should lend itself to studies of most bacterial forms. 



C. P. B. 



On the Cultivation of Entameha huccalis. Wm. B. Wherry and Wade 



W. Oliver. (Lancet Clinic, 1916, 115, 295.) 



Wherry and Oliver found that the Entameha huccalis grew best on 

 "Martin's pleuritic" medium, made up with basic sodium phosphate, 

 and pleuritic fluid in the proportion of about two of the fluid to three 

 of the agar. The tubes were slanted and allowed to remain in the ice 

 box, so that the water of syneresis could collect. The Entameha and 

 bacteria from the margin of the tooth were introduced into the water 

 of syneresis and incubated at 35° to 37°C. There was a profuse growth 

 at the end of 48 hours; staining with Mallory's ferric chloride-hema- 

 toxylin, showed characteristic nuclear structure. The authors hope 

 to be able to throw some light on the life history of this organism and 

 to make tests of its pathogenicity. — O. B. 



The Relation of Amoehiasis to Pyorrhea Alveolaris. A. H. Sanford, 

 M.D. and Gordon B. New, M.D. (Surg., Gynecol, and Obstet., 

 1916, 22, 27-33.) 

 The authors studied 327 patients, dividing them into 5 groups. 



Material from pyorrheal pockets, also from sto Is was examined. Of 



