

1905.|] Means of Propagation of Mediterranean Fever. 379 
Goat No. 3.—Blood serum diluted 1 to 10,1 to 40, and 1 te 100, caused 
immediate agglutination of the MZ. melitensis, but, in the 
case of the dilution 1 to 100, the clumps were not visible 
to the naked eye until after 15 minutes. 
Goat No. 4.—The blood serum produced no reaction with the M. melitensis. 
Goat No. 5.—The blood serum diluted 1 to 10 caused immediate agglutina- 
tion, but dilutions of 1 to 40 and 1 to 100 did not produce 
a complete reaction until after 15 minutes. 
Goat No. 6.—Blood serum diluted 1 to 300 caused complete agglutination 
of the IM. melitensis, visible at once with the naked eye. 
The reactions thus obtained, and especially that of Goat No. 6, suggested 
that possibly five of the goats were suffering from Mediterranean Fever 
acquired under natural conditions. The goats were stated to be healthy, but 
were sold cheaply, as they had given very little milk for some time. They 
were bought from pens in the neighbourhood of Birchircara and St. Julians, 
and taken straight to the lazaretto, where they were placed in clean stalls, 
which had never been used for any experimental work with the M. melitensis. 
Dr. Zammit and I then arranged to make a complete study of these 
animals; Dr. Zammit undertook the investigation of the blood, and I made 
myself responsible for the bacteriological examination of the milk and urine. 
Bacteriological Examination of Milk and Urine obtained from Naturally 
Infected Goats. 
Goat No. 6.—I commenced work with this goat, as its blood serum, when 
diluted 1 to 300, caused immediate agglutination of the MM. melitensis. The 
animal did not appear well, and had a very poor coat. The udders were 
flaccid, but the milk exuded appeared normal in character. The temperature 
was taken morning and evening, and compared with that of a healthy goat, 
The evening temperature never rose above 103°, and, as this temperature is 
often recorded in the case of perfectly normal goats, a febrile temperature 
could not be said to be present. On June 18 milk was withdrawn, and 1 c.c. 
centrifugalised; the deposit was then carefully spread over 10 ltmus- 
nutrose-agar plates. After four days’ incubation at 37° C., colonies of the 
M. melitensis appeared in every plate. The colonies were at once tested with 
a dilute (1 to 100) specific serum obtained from an inoculated rabbit. The 
micrococci were found to agglutinate at once, the clumps being visible to the 
naked eye. Some of the colonies were then planted out on agar slopes, and 
the resulting growths, when subjected to the usual confirmatory tests, showed 
that the M. melitensis was undoubtedly being excreted in the milk of this goat. 
