620 
EDITORIAL. 
berg, Mr. Schule. For him all the various forms of the affec¬ 
tion are of one morbid nature. It is a specific disease given by 
the dams to the offsprings before delivery ; after birth, by con¬ 
tagion of the umbilical cord, the soiled litters ; stallions can also 
propagate by successive coition from one mare to another. 
This idea, which is not new, explains the epizootic and enzootic 
character of the disease, and specially the injurious part played 
by some mares. The disease is due to a specific microbe which 
is found in the articular and tendinous synovial bursse, in the 
blood of the colts, and also the uterine discharges of the infected 
mothers. 
Under the microscope it appears under the shape of an im¬ 
mobile micrococcus, provided with a clear translucid capsule. 
Disposed as diplococcus most frequently, it is not rare to see 
them in groups of three or four. 
From the series of observations and experiments that arede- 
scribed by Mr. Schule he concludes that four principal indica¬ 
tions present themselves : (i) Treatment of the suspicious or in¬ 
fected mares, by minute hygiene of the dam, disinfection of 
the place where delivery has taken place, intra-uterine injections 
of lysol after parturition. This treatment lasts more or less 
whether it is applied on mares which have delivered normally or 
have aboited. (2) Special care of the stables, in the shape of 
thorough cleanliness and disinfection. (3) Antiseptic care of the 
umbilical cord of the new born—sterilized ligature to the cord, 
sublimated solution washing, with sterilized wadding over the 
umbilical region, the whole renewed as the case may be. (4) 
Disinfection of the penis of stallions after every suspicious 
mounting, a condition which can always be admitted when in 
regions where the disease exists. 
* 
* * 
A Fund for Scientific Researches. —A very interesting 
law has just been passed in France creating a sinking fund for 
scientific researches, divided in two sections, with the object of 
promoting the investigations relating to (1) the discovery of 
new methods of treatment of diseases affecting mankind, domes- 
