The Mickoscope. 'b 



this view the other members of the committee emphatically con- 

 curred. 



With reference to the actual finding of tubercle-bacilli in the 

 slides submitted to the committee, the experience of the individual 

 members was somewhat different. Dr. Mouser stated that after a 

 patient search of some two hours, using a Zeiss oil-immersion 1-18 

 inch objective, he did not come across any undoubted specimens of 

 the sought-for bacillus. Dr. Stallard, who used a Powell and Lea- 

 land 1-12 inch objective (homogenous immersion) had the same 

 experience. The third member of the committee. Dr. Henry FeiTer, 

 after a protracted search with his Zeiss objectives, succeeded in find- 

 ing two undoubted specimens of Bacillus tuberculosis. A more 

 extended report will be filed by the committee at a subsequent 

 meeting. 



As the subject is one of great importance. Dr. Ferrer gave an 

 interesting resume of the late researches of Dr. Bang on " Udder- 

 tuberculosis and Tuberculous Milk." During the winter of 1884 

 this observer examined some thirteen cows affected with udder-tuber- 

 culosis in various dairies and slaughter-houses in Copenhagen. The 

 characteristics of the disease were minutely described, so as to be of 

 service in diagnosis. Although the udders of the infected animals 

 soon became greatly swollen, yet the milk continues for awhile to 

 appear perfectly normal. This is a fact of great importance, for 

 during this stage the milk is liable to be still used as nourishment 

 and can thus be the cause of infection in man. Bang found that 

 the milk of tuberculous cows contain Bacilli, often in very large 

 numbers, and usually bearing spores. In the course of his experi- 

 ments he fed three rabbits and five Guinea pigs with such milk and 

 all soon died from tuberculosis. Analysis of tuberculous milk 

 showed that in the course of the disease the amount of albumin- 

 ous compounds increased, while the fat and sugar of milk dimin- 

 ished. 



Mr. Howard exhibited a slide of Enieromorpha intestinalis (an 

 alga growing both in salt and fresh water), with several specimens of 

 attached marine Vorticelloe, both social and solitary forms. 



The State Mining Bureau asked for a report on a sample of 

 diatomaceous earth found on the beach near Santa Monica, and said 

 to be nearly, if not quite equal to the celebrated fragment found 

 near the same locality some years ago. The specimen was referred 

 to Mr. Norris and Mr. Howard for examination. 



A. H. Breckenfeld, Secretary. 



