
-1905.] Means of Propagation of Mediterranean Fever. 381 
and 26 the milk was again examined, and colonies of the JM. melitensis were 
recovered on both occasions. 
The urine was examined on June 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30, and on 
July 1, 3, and 6, but the IL. melitensis could not be detected. 
Result—The M. melitensis appears to be excreted in small quantity in the 
normal-looking milk of this goat. It has not yet been detected in the urine. 
Goat No. 3.—This goat looked healthy and had no fever, but its milk was 
thin and serous. On June 22 the milk was examined, one loopful of the 
serous milk being spread over each plate. After four days’ incubation all the 
plates were found so densely crowded with colonies of the M. melitensis that 
an accurate count could not be made. 
On June 24 and 26 the milk was again examined and similar results were 
again obtained. 
The urine was examined on June 23, 26, 28, and 30, and on July 1, 3, 6, 8, 
9, 10, 11, but no signs of the AZ melitensis could be discovered. 
Result—The M. melitensis appears to be present in enormous quantities in 
the thin serous-looking milk of this goat, but it has not yet been found in 
the urine. 
Goat No. 5.—This goat was in poor condition, the udders were flaccid, and 
the milk exuded had a thick jelly-like appearance. 
On June 22 the milk was examined, one loopful of the jelly-like material 
being spread over each plate. After four days’ incubation all the plates were 
covered with minute colonies of the WZ. melitensis. On June 24 and 26 the 
milk was again examined, and densely crowded plates were obtained as 
before. 
On June 25 and 30 the urine was examined, but no colonies of the JV. 
melitensis were detected. 
On July 1 the urine was again plated, and four days later every plate was 
found to contain numerous transparent colonies strongly resembling those of 
the M. melitensis. Some of the colonies were fished and planted out on agar 
slopes. The resulting growths were then subjected to the usual confirmatory 
tests, and the JZ. melitensis proved to be undoubtedly present. 
The five goats just examined being considered by their owners to be “ out 
of milk,” would not be likely to be employed for milking purposes, though in 
the case of Goats Nos. 2 and 6, the milk might easily have been used without 
any fear of suspicion arising as to its being abnormal. Consequently it 
appeared very desirable to examine the herds which were actually supplying 
milk to Valetta, Sliema, and the various hospitals. 
I therefore asked Captain Kennedy, R.A.M.C., to visit the various herds, 
and, with the owner’s consent, take blood from the ears, and test the action of 
