582 ABSTRACTS 



This conclusion is supported by case histories and by the report of 

 an epidemic consisting of 78 cases with 17 deaths. 



Ipecac and emetin proved valuable in treatment. — G. H. S. 



The Causation and Treatment of Pellagra. H. E. Bond. (Medical 



Record, 1916, 89, 816-819.) 



The theory is advanced that pellagra is caused by bacteria occurring 

 in the intestinal tract. Toxins produced act primarily upon the sym- 

 pathetic nervous system and secondarily upon the central nervous sys- 

 tem. Treatment should consist of the internal use of gastrointestinal 

 antiseptics and the external use of protective ointments. — M. W. C. 



Notes on Grip Epidemic in Chicago. A. M. Moody and J. A. Capps. 



(Jour. A. M. A., 1916, 66, 1696.) 



An analysis of 53 cases of grip shows that leucocytosis is usually ab- 

 sent. Bacteriologic examination of 31 cases gave the following results: 



Streptococcus hemolyticus, Streptococcus viridans and the pneumococcus 

 were present 31 times; hemolytic staphylococci, 19 times; Bacillus in- 

 fluenzae and Friedlander's bacillus twice; Streptococcus mucosas and 

 Micrococcus catarrhalis once. — G. H. S. 



Antimeningococcic Serum in the Joint Manifestations oj Gonorrhea. F. 

 Malleterre. (New York Med. Jour., 1916, 103, 1024-1026.) 

 Antimeningococcic serum is of value in generalized polyarticular 

 forms of arthritis when several joints are involved and where there is 

 moderate local inflammation without a fluid collection. The serum has 

 little or no value in cases of gonorrheal monoarthritis with a large 

 fluid collection.— M. W. C. 



Pyelocystitis and Metastatic Abscesses Following Tonsillitis. H. B. 



Mills and G. A. Sowell. (New York Med. Jour., 1916, 103, 725- 



726.) 



Report of a case in which an attack of tonsillitis was followed by 

 pyelocystitis and metastatic abscesses. Staphylococcus albus was the 

 predominating organism isolated from the tonsils and was obtained in 

 pure culture from the urine, blood and abscesses. The authors con- 

 clude that the tonsillitis was the etiological factor in the pyelocystitis, 

 while the metastatic abscesses were complications of the latter. 



M. W. C. 



The Bacillus Epilepticus. C. A. L. Reed. (Jour. A. M. A., 1916, 66, 



1607-1611.) 



The author asserts that epilepsy is due to infection by Bacillus epi- 

 lepticus. The organism is a spore bearer, whose primary focus of in- 

 fection is the cecum but which under suitable conditions may invade 

 the circulation. 



The bacillus has been cultured from the blood and digestive tracts of 

 epileptics and has proved pathologic for rabbits. — G. H. S. 



