Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-15
Two Potent Antibiotics
Found in Soft Coal
'Vitroin' Bonds Produce
Foes Of Fungi. Bocterio
By Thomos R. Henry


Extraction Of two potent antibiotics
IN bituminous coal has just been re-
ported to the American Association for
the Advancement Of Science here.
One prevents the growth Of fungi,
the other Of bacteria
Both materials are obtained from
the so-called "vitrain" bands in coal
seams. notable for their reddish or
yellowish color. They probably are
wood which has lost its cell structure
but has not quite completed the tram
sition into soft coal.
The fungistatic substance is reported
by Norman C. Schenck of the Uni
versity of Illinois. They have tested
it against eight fungi, including some
OF the most virulent enemies of plant
life such as the cause Of bitter rot in
apples and serious diseases of oak and
elm trees. Two Of these varieties were
killed outright. The other six were
prevented from spreading by means of
spores. The cells apparently were
unable to divide for period of about
IL hours after application of the coal
extract.
The bacteriostatic substance is re-
ported by Robert M. Kosanke of the
Illinois Geological Survey. It has been
found quite efficient in preventing the
cell division and hence the infective-
ness, OF at least one common type Of
bacteria and the effect may be quite
general through the whole kingdom
OF single-celled plant life.
The effect was first suspected in
England two years ago when it was
noted that the incidence Of pneumo-
coniosiS, bacterial disease of the lungs
common among coal miners, was far
less prevalent among workers in mines
with prominent vitrain seams.
The chemical nature of both sub
stances Is still q mystery. They are
extracted from finely ground vitrain
by quite complex chemical process.
Byproduct Of Change.
The substances either are lacking. or
cannot be extracted, from higher-rank
coal, it is reported. They are believed
to be formed in some way during the
long, highly complex and still little
understood metamorphosis Of wood into
coal. A substance has been extracted
from both living and fossil wood which
has some bacteriostatic action, but it
may be quite different from the ma
terial found in coal.
Bald cows and tailless cocker spaniels
are among the latest quirks of heredity.
They are described in the official
journal of the American Genetic As
ISOLATION In both cases some change
has taken place in one or more genes.
fundamental units of heredity, which
may be passed from generation to gen.
Grafton
Inc paid bovlneS are reported by Drs.
r. 3. HUT and L. T. Saunders of Cor.
nell University. The same mutation
mas been reported before by geneticists
IN other countries but the calves always
have been born dead. In this case they
seem to be quite healthy. except that
they need special protection from cold
and sunburn.
In the spring and summer it is neces-
sary to expose them gradually to in
creaSlng amounts of sun. One heifer,
allowed to run loose. was severely
burned
Gene Confusion Responsible.
Inc tailless cookers are reported in
the same journal by DR.. Terry Pullig of
the University of Louisiana. The con-
d1tion evidently is due to a quite COM
plicated mixup of genes, rather than to
change in any specific gene
"Congenital anury Qack of tails)."
says Pullig. "has been reported in MANY
classes of tailed vertebrates. In some
cases it was the result of changed hered-
lty. while in other cases occasional
tailed individuals were produced by
normal parents, and they did not trans
NIT this characteristic to their descend.
ants.
In cocker spaniels there seems to be
both an hereditable and non-heredit-
able type of anury"
curious hereditary nerve malady in
chickens is reported by Drs Edward
F. Godfrey. B. B. Behren and George
Jap of the University of Tennessee.
1t is highly fatal among newly Matched
chicks but few survive Adults always
run in circles when they are frightened.
Examination of the brains has shown
marked deterioration of nerve cells in
the cerebellum. the part of the brain
chiefly concerned with body posture.