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REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
The scheme put up in my letter R.C. No. 157 29-2/V., dated 29th April 1923, has
now advanced sufficiently to merit more detailed consideration.
The suggested improvements concern :—
(1) The vaccine section.
(2) The main building.
(3) The out-buildings.
(4) Housing for the staff.
(5) Necessary extensions to lighting
and sewage, etc.
(1) Vaccine section. —The successful issue of the investigation into the
manufacture of vaccine lymph which has been carried out in the Institute during
the past five years has emphasised the urgent need for more modern buildings
and appliances. The proposals put forward for the section included a modern
operation theatre with the necessary adjuncts and furniture, sufficient grazing
grounds for calves with suitable quarantine quarters for new arrivals and also
a shed for the finished calves.
(2) The main building .—The need for more adequate accommodation and
lighting in the main building has been felt for some time. Although the Institute
has a large floor space, it only contains seven laboratories capable of accommo
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dating workers. The scheme proposed the reconstruction of the northern half of
the central part of the building so as to include the present verandah. In this
way and by the suitable subdivision of the space thus rendered available, fourteen
Well lighted laboratories were planned in addition to rooms for library, photo
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grapher's studio and dark room, for Public Analyst's laboratory and the necessary
offices for the Director and other administrative officers.
(3) and (4) Out-buildings and housing for staff. —The proposed extensions
outside the main building included the provision of enlarged store rooms and
godowns for inflammable stores, a new building for the office and the erection of
houses for the whole staff which at present reside in various parts of Madras at
great distances from the Institute.
(5) Electric lighting and sewage.—Finally extensions to lighting and sewage
were also suggested. The use of electrical appliances of all varieties has increased
to such an extent that the present electrical plant is quite incapable of yielding
a supply sufficient for the present needs of the Institute and certain of the appli
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ances have actually been injured by the variability of the supply. It was
suggested that the various plants should be electrified and receive their power
from the Engineering College at Guindy which in addition should supply the
lighting and electricity to the Institute buildings. Government in their G.O.
Mis. No. 1426-P.H., dated 6th July 1923, referred the whole scheme of extension
to a Committee who reported favourably on the recommendations. Govern
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ment accepted these recommendations in their G.O. Press No. 1850-P.H., dated
9th November 1923, and the erection of the vaccine theatre and alteration to the
main buildings were classed as " very emergent works to be undertaken in
1924-25." Plans and estimates for these have been prepared and detailed
drawings of the furniture and equipment for each laboratory have been made. It
is to be hoped that the work will soon be begun. Arrangements are in progress
to acquire the necessary land for grazing and building purposes. The other parts
of the scheme are to be taken up as soon as funds become available. Estimates
for the electrification of the Institute refrigerating and pumping plants are being
prepared.
II.—GENERAL.
The year under report has seen a number of changes which has had a
profound influence upon the methods of vaccination in the Presidency. In the
first place Government in their G.O. No. 1421-P.H., dated the 16th October 1922,
sanctioned the general issue of glycerine lymph instead of lanoline lymph and
secondly the reorganization of the Public Health department, which resulted
in the appointment of District Health Officers and Health Inspectors,
considerably strengthened the agencies whose duty it is to verify and supervise
the vaccinations. The introduction of glycerine lymph has called for a different
system of distribution. Supplies are now made four times a month to the