56S 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
blood and exudation in two cases of influenza which died of cerebro- 
spinal meningitis. The influenza bacillus was demonstrated in cover- 
glass preparations of the blood and from the meningeal pus. Charac- 
teristic colonies of the influenza bacillus were obtained in blood-agar, 
and histological investigation of the cord and brain confirmed the presence 
of suppurative cerebro-spinal meningitis, and the existence of the 
influenza bacilli. As the demonstration of the micro-organism in the 
tissues has been rarely successful the author’s results must be regarded 
as important, for they show that the nervous phenomena are dependent 
on the immediate presence of the bacilli, and there is no need to suppose 
the symptoms and morbid appearances are provoked by absorption of 
toxins raised at a distance. 
The authors advise plate cultures in capsules, in preference to 
oblique agar tubes. The agar should be filtered, and after having 
been incubated for several days the condensation water should be 
removed. The blood should be brushed on shortly before the medium 
is inoculated with the material to be examined. The most convenient 
and suitable blood for the purpose is pigeon’s. After wringing the 
bird’s neck the thorax is opened, and after the large vessels are tied, the 
heart is cut out. It is next washed with sterile water, and then one of 
the cavities having been opened, the blood is allowed to drop on the 
agar surface. 
Relations between Chimiotaxis and Leucocytosis.* — Dr. 0. Kowa- 
levsky has made experiments relative to the chimiotactic properties of 
certain antiseptics, and their action on the number of leucocytes in the 
blood after intravenous injection of these substances. The animals used 
were rabbits. The authoress found that iodine, iodide of potassium, 
tri- and monochlorides of iodine, biniodide of mercury, sublimate, the 
chloride and sulphate of zinc excite a greater or less amount of chimio- 
taxis, and w hen injected into the blood circulation produce a leucocytosis 
marked by augmentation of the granulations. The degree of leucocy- 
tosis usually corresponds to that of the chimiotaxis, and is of a purely 
chimiotactic nature. The authoress considers it very probable that dis- 
infectants exert a favourable action, not only on account of their bacteri- 
cidal power, but also in virtue of possessing positive chimiotactic pro- 
perties. 
The methods adopted for bringing about and estimating the amount 
of chimiotaxis and leucocytosis were simple. For the former, capillary 
tubes filled with the fluid to be examined were inserted beneath the 
skin, and after removal inspected. Leucocytosis was effected by inject- 
ing in the vein cf the ear about 2 ccm. of the fluid. The number of 
leucocytes was counted in the usual way. 
Bifurcated Double-Ended Crystal from Asthmatic Sputum.f — Dr. E. 
Cutter describes a peculiar bifurcated crystal found in asthmatic sputum, 
and shows how the presence of such crystals in sputum throws light on 
the diagnosis of asthma. 
New Analytical Process for the Study of Diatomacsous and other 
Clayey Deposits.^ — Mr. K. M. Cunningham describes the method he 
* Ann. de Micro#., viii. (1896) pp. 185-226. 
t Amer. Mon. Micr. Journ., xvii. (1896) pp. 242-4. X Tom. cit, pp. 228-40. 
