11
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
were then specially examined with a view to ascertaining whether any of
them were carriers, their discharges being cultured daily for twenty days.
One inmate who was found to be a carrier was segregated, and as a further
preventive measure the rest were inoculated with mixed T.A.B. vaccine.
(4) A case of acute purulent peritonitis as a sequela after an attack
of pneumonia, was investigated, with the detection of pneumococcus
type II in the pus.
(5) Lange's Goldsol test has now been added to the other routine
tests that are carried out in this Institute. The examination of cerebro
-
spinal fluid with this test gives an important clue to the Superintendents
of Lunatic Asylums in distinguishing the different types of psychiatrical
diseases.
(6) A curious fungating tumour of the eye, and some concretions
from the lachrymal duct were sent by Major R. E. Wright, I.M.S., from
the Government Ophthalmic Hospital and were investigated bacterio
- l o g i c a l l y . A s t r e p t o t h r i x w a s c u l t i v a t e d f r o m t h e l a t t e r s p e c i m e n a n d a
hyphomycetes from the tumour.
(7) An interesting case of mycetoma occurring in the stump of an
old amputated thigh was investigated, and a streptothrix which forms
a red pigment has been isolated, and is being studied.
( c) Anti-sera .—The Institute continued as usual to purchase, store
and distribute the various kinds of anti-sera required for the use of the
Medical Institutions of the Presidency. The total number of bottles
issued was 5,490 as compared to 4,692 during the year previous. The
increase was chiefly due to a larger demand for anti-tetanic serum, 3,341
bottles against 2,546 for the last year. (Vide statement 12.). In this con
- n e x i o n I r e i t e r a t e t h e r e m a r k s m a d e b y C o l . C u n n i n g h a m i n t h e l a s t
annual report:—"Government do not yet appear to have grasped the
fact that the Institute only acts as a purchasing and storing agency and
that it gains no advantage therefrom. The cost of the serum should not
be a charge on the Institute budget, but should come from a separate
allotment altogether, nor should the Institute budget be called upon to
supply the deficiency when the grant for the purchase is exceeded, as
it nearly always is early in the year. This is more correctly a charge on
the budget of the various hospitals who use the serum.
(iii) PUBLIC HEALTH SECTION.
Three hundred and twelve specimens of a public health nature,
excluding water, were dealt with in this section. (Vide statement No. 13.)
The figure under this heading represents an increase of 70 specimens over
the previous year. The report which the Public Analyst has presented
will enable Government to bring many of the provisions of the Madras
Prevention of Adulteration Act, 1918, into operation. This, it is expected,
will cause a very large increase in the number of these samples in future
years.
The samples of milk and milk products examined by the Public
Analyst have not been included in this report, as they form the subject
of a separate communication to Government. The Public Analyst was
given all the facilities by way of staff and equipment, consistent with
the resources available at the Institute, to make a commencement, but he
was considerably handicapped for want of a fully equipped food analysis
laboratory until August when the articles indented for by him from
England started arriving. The absence of suitable laboratory accom
- m o d a t i o n n e c e s s i t a t e d t h e c o n v e r s i o n o f t h e l e c t u r e h a l l i n t o a l a b o r a t o r y
which was completed late in the year. His work in the matter of laying
down standards has however been carried on during the year in spite of
these disadvantages. No separate provision has been made by Govern
- m e n t f o r t h e n e x t o f f i c i a l y e a r ( 1 9 2 5 - 2 6 ) t o m e e t t h e e x p e n d i t u r e t h a t w i l l