3
In Dr. King's report No. 3433 S., dated 20th August 1890, para. 3,
it is stated that the efficacy of animal lymph when stored cannot be trusted
to implicitly beyond 24 hours. Bearing this remark in mind, it was considered
advisable to test the length of time for which lymph stored in tubes remained
active in the Punjab, where the climate is so materially different from that of
Madras. To make the test severe, no precautions were taken in storing the tubes
sent out in this experiment beyond placing them in the hollow canes in which
they are usually distributed, the ends of the canes being plugged with cotton
wool. -A tin box was used to keep the canes in, and this box was left shut on
the office table in the day-time. A comparison between the results obtained with
one to six lanolin lymph and these tubes will show that they are almost identical.
The period of length of preservation being, however, shorter in the cases of the
tubes by five days.
Character of vesicles produced by lanolin lymph.—The vesicle was found
to be considerably retarded in growth by the addition of lanolin to the lymph,
the vesicles of lanolin lymph being about one-third the size of buffalo vesicles on
the seventh day. They however grew rapidly in size, and on the twelfth day
were frequently considerably larger than the buffalo vesicles of the same age.
In a very few cases very large vesicles resulted. Owing to the method of intro-
duction of the lymph by means of a scarificator, it was very common to find
three and four vesicles on one scarified patch: these subsequently coalesced and
formed large vesicles.
The scarificator.—This instrument was found to be admirably adapted
for the purpose for which it was designed. It was found in practice that the
vaccinators, far from making too deep incisions, usually erred on the side of using
too little force. It was surprising to see how little pain was caused by its use.
Numbers of children did not cry, if only their attention was diverted at the moment
of operation; others frequently regarded the operation with indifference. Little
or no blood follows the use of this instrument, and this is a most material
advantage, since the fears of the mothers are not excited. In many cases the
mothers prefer the scarificator to the lancet. Considerable difficulty was
experienced in making the vaccinators clean the scarificator after each
operation. They were also extremely careless about opening the lymph receptacle
in the sun, and constant supervision was needed. This no doubt accounts in
some measure for the numerous failures.
GENERAL SUMMARY.
The results of these experiments cannot be regarded as satisfactory, but,
on the other hand, the inexperience of the operators must be taken into consider-
ation. The preparation of the lymph and its use involves a certain amount of
dexterity and practice, and there is every reason to think that, with a more
extended experience, much better results could be obtained. There is no doubt
whatever that lanolin has a most decided action in preserving lymph.
There are, however, two objections to the general use of this lymph in
the Punjab,—1st, the prejudice against animal lymph; 2ndly, the expense involved
by the method.
First, fresh buffalo lymph is only now slowly making its way in the Punjab,
and is regarded by many high caste Hindús with aversion. This is more particu-
larly the case in the municipal towns, and the Hindús believe that the use of
buffalo lymph is only the stepping-stone to the introduction of cow lymph and
the destruction of their religion. It is probably hardly safe at this time, when
the people are being gradually weaned from their prejudice in favor of human
lymph to animal lymph, to introduce a third and a newer form of vaccination,
and one in which a fat called lanolin is mixed with the lymph, a fat of whose
nature and character they know nothing. The tendency of the natives to view
any new movement with distrust is part of their nature, and were any maliciously
inclined person merely to hint that lanolin was cow fat, a general revulsion of
feelings against vaccination would take place, and the progress of vaccination
would be thrown back for years.