456 
R S. HUIDEKOPER. 
phate of lime and magnesia. This fermentation exists more or 
less when the crops are fresh, and it is at this time that the disease 
is most frequent. After wet harvest seasons this exists naturally 
to a greater extent than after dry ones. 
Colin made experiments by injecting the ferment of clover, 
but they were all negative and only showed that peptone was de¬ 
veloped in the blood and that this latter lost its power of coagu¬ 
lating. Schmidt Mulheim, however, showed that peptone injected 
in doses of 0.30 to 0.60 grammes to the killogramme of the 
animal’s weight produced nerve symptoms of a like character to 
the disease. In immobility we also find a thinness of blood and 
a lessened coaguability. The symptoms vary somewhat with the 
leguminosse used (red clover, vetch, Jamacia cabbage tree, etc.) 
The colic from clover feeding in the summer is accompanied by 
severe brain symptoms (vertigo) that are identical with the 
symptoms produced by Schmidt Mulheims’ peptone experiments. 
Dr. Winckler further traces a relationship between the frequency 
of the disease and the care taken in harvesting the crops and 
keeping them free from fermentation. 
He acknowledges a predisposition on the part of individual 
animals, produced by hot stables, want of work, etc., and a pre¬ 
disposition on the part of lymphatic animals, whose loose connec¬ 
tive tissue permits of easier serous exudation. The prophylaxis 
is naturally indicated. Sound proper drying of thd leguminous 
crops and hygienic precautions in the stable and in the use of the 
animals. Very similar symptoms may be caused by the English 
ray-grass and other plants, and the author warns against a mistake 
in diagnosis. For treatment, Dr. Winckler thinks that carbonic 
acid is indicated, and recommends the use of bicarbonate of 
soda and tartaric acid. 
^ ^ ^ 
Almost simultaneously with the appearance of this article of 
Dr Winekler’s, Dr. .Proust communicates to the “ Academie de 
Medecine ” at Paris a paper on “ Lathyrisme medullaire spasmo- 
dique,” observed in North Africa. This disease is frequent after 
bad crops, when the leguminosse have been added to the wheat 
and other grain to make up the requisite amount of flour. Dr. 
