124 
A. A. HOLCOMBE. 
centre are larger cells, like ordinary epitheloid cells; and in the 
centre the Actinomyces clusters.* Iodine, anilin, and picric acid 
give these a characteristic reaction, the cell-membrane generally- 
offering a cellulose reaction. Alcohol, aether, acids, and alkalis 
have no immediate effect upon the fungus tufts, and this distin¬ 
guishes them from such bodies as fat crystals. By pressure, the 
globular tufts can be broken up into numerous kinds of wedge- 
shaped pieces of various sizes, from 0.010 to 0.050 millimeters in 
length, and the majority are about equal in breadth towards the 
end. Each piece is composed of a great number of individuals, 
every one of which is somewhat conical, from 0.0005 to 0.0020 
millimeters broad, about 0.0045 millimeters long, representing 
the mycelium, from which begins a central base-cell or basidium. 
From this arises a two to nine-stalked hyphen, from 0.0005 to 
0.002 mm. in diameter, and at the extremity of the stalks or 
sterigmata are the conidia. 
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES IN KANSAS. 
By A. A. Holcombe, D.V.S. 
A bill was presented in the Legislature of this State during the 
session of 1881, which had for its object the creation of the office 
of State Veterinarian, ana the adoption of such measures and reg¬ 
ulations as should look to the prevention and suppression of con¬ 
tagious diseases among the domestic animals of the State. For 
various reasons the bill failed to pass. During an interval of the 
next two years the question received serious consideration at the 
hands of many of the most thoughtful stock owners and breeders 
in the State. Foremost among these was Governor Glick, one of 
the most successful practical breeders of blooded stock in the 
State. In his message to the Legislature in Jan., 1883, he 
strongly urged the necessity for action in the matter ; but not- 
* A good method of showing the Actinomyces is to cut sections, and stain 
thorn singly with Spiller’s purple, or doubly with it and diluted soluble blue. 
To demonstrate the separate parts of the nodule, a small portion may be teased 
out in glycerine, 
