Abstract: Virus vector studies were conducted in the States of Durango, Chihuahua, and Tamaulipas, Mexico, in June and July 1972. Apparently only a low level of Venzuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus transmission to equines occured at the time of the study, and the infection was restricted to areas which had not experienced overt activity during the preceding year. The low level of infection was associated with a scarcity of mosquitoes. The IB (epidemic) strain of VEE virus was isolated from two pools of Anopheles pseudopunctipennis (Theo.) and the blood of one symptomatic equine. The low mosquito population, the relatively few equine cases observed, and the absence of reports of VEE human disease from the outbreak area suggested VEE virus persistence through a low-level mosquito-equine transmission cycle. Other studies have already indicated that wild vertebrates play no more than a minor role in outbreaks of epidemic VEE. Mosquito collections made in areas of the states of Durango, Chihuahua, and Tamaulipas, where considerable epidemic activity of VEE had occurred in 1971, failed to reveal evidence of VEE virus persistence. Twenty-nine ioslations of other arboviruses were also made in these studies: including 22 of St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLE), 2 of Flanders virus, 1 of Turlock virus, 1 of Trivittatus virus of the California Group, 1 of western equine encephalitis virus (VEE), and 2 (from Santa Rose) which possibly represent a hitherto unknown virus in the Bunyamwera Group. These are the first reports of SLE virus isolations from mosquitoes in Mexico, and the first demonstration of Trivittatus, VEE Turlock and Flanders viruses in Mexico from any source.

Abstract: Using a rapid freezing and sectioning technique, the distance between the lens and retina of the horse eye was measured. There is no indication of a ramp retina that could serve accommodation. The pupil axis of the eye coincides with the maximum lens to retina distance. The changes in the lens-retina distance are greater below the axis than above it. Calculations were made of refractive power of the horse eye from measurements of curvature and refractive indices of the ocular tissues. These calculations agree both qualitatively and quantitatively with retinoscopic measurements on live horses. Both show that the refractive state shifts in the direction of hyperopia above and below the axis and that this shift is greater below the axis than above it. Some dynamic accommodative ability in the living eye was observed.

Abstract: Attention is drawn to the beneficial effect of improved nutrition during winter and early spring on the ovarian activity of mares. Furthermore, the necessity of an adequate plane of nutrition during early pregnancy to prevent embryonic resorption is stressed.