428 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Ocr., 1901. 
Butter fat from cheese— 
Ether extracted ... a v. 44:0 44:0 ve (0) 
Do. do. ers ves we §=44°0 44-0 ore 0 
Melted out at 6Odegrees C.  ... 486 48°83 +2 — °3 
Do. do. STL fa 46°9 0 — 2 
Do. Gly © so So GHB 44e5 i. — 3 
Petroleum ether extracted wee 443 44°2 A — 1 
Pure lard ... ed ae Soa tO) 52:0 ay —s1eO 
Do. other sample 0 we 548 54:3 nc 0 
All these numbers agree very closely with the results given by Mr, J. 
White, F.I.C., in his article on the use of the butyro-refractometer in the 
Journal of the Society of Chemical Industries, December, 1900. 
It will also be noticed that from the readings of this valuable instrument a 
very close estimation of the amount of margarine added to a butter may be 
made. We find by calculating from the readings an addition of 19 and 32:8 
per cent. respectively in two samples of mixtures of butter with 20 and 33:3 
per cent. margarine. 
For the testing of other oils, lard, &c., Zeiss butyro-retractometer is equally 
valuable, but in order to get a good reading with oils which give the critical 
line in the form of a blue or purple-coloured band, monochromatic light from a 
sodium flame, or by interposing a cell filled with a solution of potassium 
bichromate between the mirror and the body of the instrument, should be used. 
FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE. 
At a recent meeting of the Academy of Medicine, Dr. Jarre announced 
the discovery of a remedy for the foot-and-mouth disease, which is so fatal to 
sheep. He says he has successfully used the remedy in 1,500 cases in two years, 
It consists of a concentrated solution of chromic acid at 33 per cent. chemically 
pure. This is employed as acaustic to the sore. The cure is rapid and certain, 
Dr. Jarre says that M. Dupuy, Minister of Agriculture, has promised to give 
the remedy official tests.—Sctentific American. 
The above was submitted to Mr. P. Wicken, of the Western Australian 
Department of Agriculture, who stated :—‘ Foot-and-mouth disease is a specific 
eruptive disease, affecting especially the mucus membrane of the mouth and the 
skin around the coronet, and between the digits. It is both contagious and 
infectious. It affects sheep, pigs, poultry, dogs, horses, and human beings. Tt 
is therefore necessary thatall infected carcasses should be burned. It is prevalent 
both in Europe and America, but up to the present time not in these States, 
Chromie acid is a powerful caustic and antiseptic, used to remove warty excreg- 
cences, and applied to indolent ulcers, putrid sores, and cancers. It would 
require great care in application, as at the strength above mentioned it would be. 
very caustic. Chromic acid is not to be obtained in this State, but the price 
quoted in the English price lists is 4s. per lb. chemically pure. It can be 
obtained in the Hastern States.” 
THE SLIDE RULE IN EXPERIMENTAL WORK. 
Anyone who has once been employed in compiling the comparatiye 
yields from experimental plots, will agree that it is a very tedious operation. 
involving a large number of simple problems, which vary only in conditions and 
in answer, the statement in every case being the same. The object of this 
article is to show how the work can be done quickly, accurately, and easily by 
means of a cheap carpenter’s slide rule. 
