584 ABSTRACTS 



The Site and Rate of Destruction of Pneumococci Following Intraperi- 

 toneal Injection. F. Berry and C. 0. Melick. (Journal of Immu- 

 nology, 1916, 1, 119.) 



This report confirms the observations of Kyes concerning the mode 

 of destruction of pneumococci injected into an unsusceptible organism 

 (pigeon). The pneumococci as in Kyes' experiments were found to be 

 taken up in great numbers by endothelial cells in the liver, and spleen. 

 They appear in these cells within ten minutes after intravenous injec- 

 tion and within about two hours after intraperitoneal injection, and 

 disappear completely in from twenty -four to thirty-six hours. — J. G. H. 



A Final Report on the Cultivation of the Tubercle Bacillus from the Spu- 

 tum hy the Method of Petroff. R. A. Keilty. (Jour. Ex. Med., 1916. 

 24, 41-48.) 



Cultures of the tubercle bacillus were obtained in 12 out of 18 posi- 

 tives cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and of 7 negative cases 1 showed 

 growth. From 4 of the 12 positive cases pure cultures were obtained. 

 In 12 cases sterile cotton swabs were rubbed over the tonsils, fauces, 

 tongue and gums, the swabs treated with 3 per cent sodium hydroxide 

 and the neutralized sediment inoculated on the Petroff medium; 

 and in one case acid fast bacilli were obtained. — B. W. 



Post-Operative Tetanus. Kellogg Speed, (Surgery, Gjoi. and Obstet., 



1916, 22, 443.) 



A very complete resume of the literature. In addition six cases are 

 reported all occurring after some abdominal operation. The author 

 believes that some human beings are tetanus carriers and when opera- 

 tion is done, any injury to the wall of the intestines may result in 

 tetanus through invasion from the intestinal contents. 



The possibility of haematogenous infection must also be considered; 

 likewise external contamination from fecal discharges may carry the 

 infection. — C. P. B. 



The Bacteriology and Experimental Production of Ovaritis. E. C. Rose- 

 now and C. H. Davis. (Jour. A. M. A., 1916, 66, 1175-1180.) 

 The authors prove experimentally that streptococci derived from 

 inflammatory conditions of human ovaries show an elective affinity for 

 the ovaries of animals. 



Cultures from ovaries removed at operation yielded Streptococcus 

 viridans in a large number of cases. The gonococcus, the Welch bacil- 

 lus. Staphylococcus alhus, the colon bacillus and diphtheroid-like bacilli 

 were also obtained. 



Microscopic preparations of sections of the ovaries showed the pres- 

 ence of diplococci in several instances. 



Cultures of the streptococci isolated were injected into rabbits and 

 dogs and were recovered in pure culture from the ovaries of the ani- 

 mals.— G. H. S. 



