REPORT OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
7
It is seen that the amount of protection against cholera afforded by vaccine
inoculation is very considerable, reducing the total attacks by nearly ten times in
the inoculated as compared with the uninoculated. Also most of the deaths in the
inoculated are found to occur before the fifth day after inoculation, i.e., before
the maximum protection had had time to develop. Had the third column in the
above table been described as attacks among the “ unprotected ” as distinguished
from the uninoculated, the 319 deaths within the first five days after inoculation
(see column 8) could reasonably be included among the unprotected, as no claim is
made that cholera vaccine gives full protection immediately after inoculation.
The figures would then show that vaccine treatment gives almost perfect immunity
against cholera. While this is so, one must not lose sight of the fact, that good
sanitation is the only weapon which will eventually help to stamp Out this disease.
3. Other vaccines.— These include prophylactic T.A.B. vaccine, influenza
vaccine and other stock vaccines issued for therapeutic purposes. Details of sup-
plies are given in Table VIII. There has been a considerable drop in the supply of
influenza vaccine. The value of this vaccine, however, either as prophylactic or
curative has not been convincingly demonstrated. There was also a slight decrease
in the demand for T.A.B. vaccine. This is not however as it should be. The
value of T.A.B. vaccine as a prophylactic, is now universally accepted and full
use should be made of this important prophylactic measure. There has been a
general increase in the demand for therapeutic vaccines particularly Puerperal
vaccine. This is a mixed vaccine made with different strains of streptococci, and
strains of B. Coli usually associated with such infections. The use of this vaccine
in puerperal fever is gaining much attention. An extended trial of this vaccine
at the Government Hospital for Women and Children has given very promising
results both as a prophylactic and as a curative. As an indication of its efficacy,
it is to be noted that demands for this vaccine are now being received from
institutions outside the Presidency.
4. Sera for human use .—Details are given in Table IX. There has been an
increase in the demand for human sera. In order to obviate the necessity for
frequent local purchases as had been the case in previous years the Institute now
maintains a fair stock of these.
5. Veterinary sera.—This section deals with the distribution of these sera.
Details are given in Table X.
6. Bacterial strains.—The present-day knowledge of bacterial variation has
made it imperative to devote much more time and attention to the isolation and
preservation of bacterial strains, than was considered necessary hitherto. It
would be soon necessary to form a new section under an officer to deal mainly with
this work. Military Assistant Surgeon J.H. Theodore is at present in charge.
All the strains isolated, and those in use in agglutination reactions and in the
manufacture of various vaccines, are catalogued and carefully examined from
time to time. For comparison and for use in various tests, type cultures have
been obtained from the National Institution for type cultures in England, and
maintained in the Institute. Frequently the Institute strains have been supplied
to other laboratories in India and Europe.
(C) CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY.
1. The Second Assistant Director Dr. T. Sitapati Ayyar was in charge of
the section throughout the year and has helped to write this portion of the report.
2. Autogenous vaccines (Table XI). —There was a definite increase in the
supply of autogenous vaccine, in spite of the fact that the General Hospital now
makes its own auto-vaccines. It is to be regretted that only a very few returns
on the results of treatment were received. Such as were received are analysed
in Table XI.
3. Miscellaneous supplies (Table XII).
—The Institute continued to supply
hospitals and other institutions with media, cultures, and sterilized solutions of
drngs for injection.