-13- 
(46) 
Fumigation cf vetch seed to control the vetch bruchid. U. S. Bur. 
Eat. and Plant Quar. 2-492, 2 pp. 1939. [Processed.] 
Bruchus "brachial is Fahr. in infested seed can 
be killed by fumigation at a dosage of 3 pounds per 1,000 cubic 
feet for 4 hours, at 70° F. There v.cs no appreciable lowering 
of the viability of the seed by this treatment. 
IIELLHOFF, E. (4?) 
[Cases of methyl bromide toxication.] Jnaug.-Diss. Berlin. 1924. 
Reference in article by L. LIcrzbach, Ztschr. f. die Gcsam. Expt. 
Med. 63: 363-592. 1928. 
HENDERSON, Y., and HaGGARD, H. W. (48) 
Kbxious gases and the principles of respiration influencing their 
action. 220 pp. New York, 1927. (Amor. Cher... Sec. Monograph 
Ho. 35.). 
The monohalogen compounds of methane methyl bromide, methyl 
iodide, and methyl chloride— — are reactive gases, for after absorp- 
tion by the body they are decomposed into methanol, :/hich is nearly 
nonreactive, and the halogen acid. The acid then combines v.dth the 
sodium of the blood to form the sodium halide. The marked cumu- 
lative effect of methanol and its destructive action upon the ner- 
vous system render these three methyl halides particularly poison- 
ous. They do not themselves accumulate in the body and reach an 
equilibrium preventing further absorption, as in the case of non- 
reactive gases, but they arc decomposed with the production of 
methanol. Consequently, methanol continues to accumulate in the 
body as long as the exposure persists. Thus severe poisoning by 
methanol results after prolonged exposure to concentrations of a 
methyl monohalide too small to exhibit the anesthetic action of 
the undecomposed substance. The symptoms are those of methanol 
poisoning. Their development may be slo-a and recovery delayed; 
there is usually intense excitement and even epileptiform con- 
vulsions. Gastric and intestinal disturbances, vomiting diarrhea, 
and pain may also occur (pp. 159-160). 
HOWARD, F. L. (49) 
Chloropicrin, steam, carbon disulfide and other treatments for 
injurious soil microorganisms. Veg. Grov/ers' Assoc. Amer. Ann, 
Rpt. 1939: 115-130. 
Methyl bromide is a powerful insecticide which it appears can 
be developed into an efficient soil ant for growing plants. 
I. G. FARBENINDUSTRIE A.-G. (50) 
Alkyl halides. German Patent 478,126, June 20, 1929. [in German.] 
Alkyl halides arc prepared by pi n aliphatic 
alcohol vapor with a hydrogen halide at an elevated 'ature 
over a catalyst comprising aotiv carbon and phosphoric acid. 
The examples describe the preparation of methyl chlor yl 
bromide, and propyl chloride. 
