NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
29
A FILARIAL SURVEY WITH A STATISTICAL ENQUIRY INTO THE RELATION-
SHIP OF FILARIASIS AND ELEPHANTIASIS
By
Major J. A. CRUICKSHANK, M.C., M.D.,
I.M.S.,
„ J .
C U N N I N G H A M , B . A . , M . D . , I . M . S . ,
and
Dr. T. SEETHAPATI AYYAR, L.M.S.
(From the King Institute of Preventive Medicine, Guindy).
This paper presented the results of a statistical survey of the disease in Saidapet, a heavily
infected area near Madras. Attention was specially directed to the differences presented by
the disease in South India and in other parts of the tropics, especially Fiji.
These differences are especially in the microfilaria rate in cases of filarial disease and
particularly in elephantiasis. In India microfilaria are less frequent in cases of filarial disease
than in those without filarial disease, while in Fiji the reverse apparently holds good. The
paper records the important observation that the proportion of persons affected with elephan-
tiasis regularly increases with age.
NOTE ON THE RATIOS OF THE NUMERICAL CONTENT OF CERTAIN BACTE-
RIAL SUSPENSIONS OBTAINED BY THE HÆMOCYTOMETER METHOD
TO THOSE OBTAINED WITH BROWN'S OPACITY TUBES
By
Major J . CUNNINGHAM, B.A., M.D., I.M.S.,
and
B. TIMOTHY, L.M.P. (Madras), Sub-Assistant Surgeon
(From the King Institute of Preventive Medicine, Guindy).
The opacity method of enumerating bacteria introduced by Brown was originally based on
numerical equivalents estimated by a combination of Wright's and Braxton Hick's methods.
In a later communication the rates of the numerical content of bacterial suspensions obtained
by the hæmocytometer methods to his original table (taken as unity) were only given for
B. typhosus, B. paratyphosus A and paratyphosus B.
Further series of other common organisms have been submitted to a similar procedure
and their ratios to Brown's original table have been estimated. The results which have been
obtained so far correspond closely with those given by Brown. The numerical value of the
opacity tubes as estimated by the Hæmocytometer method is somewhat higher than the
values originally given by this author, the ratio between the old and new methods varying
between 1 to 1.2 and 1 to 0.9 for different organisms.
THE VALUE OF FORMAL GEL TEST FOR SYPHILIS
By
Civil Assistant Surgeon S. RAMAKRISHNAN.
Series of 539 specimens of blood sent to the King Institute for the Wassermann reaction
were also tested with the formal gel test described by Gate and Papacostas.
Agreement between two tests was only reached in 66.6 per cent of cases. A series of
these cases has also been investigated from the clinical side and the results are given.
THE VALUE OF CULTURE OF THE PERIPHERAL BLOOD IN KALA-AZAR
AS A DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE
By
Dr. T. SEETHAPATI AYYAR, L.M.S.,
and
Dr. K. V. KRISHNAN, M.B., B.S.
(From the King Institute of Preventive Medicine, Guindy).
The results appear to show that the culture method used purely for purposes of diagnosis
and not merely as a corroborative test, gives information of value in about 25 per cent
of cases.
30
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
The more advanced the case is at the time of culture the greater the chance of success.
Repeated culture, where possible, is of value.
The tubes should be inoculated for a long time extending to about 40 days before a
negative result can be recorded.
THE INAPPLICABILITY OF THE MILLS-REINCKE PHENOMENON TO INDIAN
CONDITIONS
By
Mr. T. N. S. RAGHAVACHARI, B.A.
(From the King Institute of Preventive Medicine, Guindy).
The applicability of the Mills-Reincke phenomenon to the vital statistics of any town
with a protected water-supply depends upon four essential conditions :
—
(a) The existence of a definite water-borne disease with an appreciable mortality.
(b) An accurate record of the total death rate.
(c) An accurate record of the death rate due to certain individual diseases, both.
water-borne and non-water borne.
(d) The existence of a fully protected water-supply. This paper deals with the extent.
to which each of these factors is present under Indian conditions.
The first condition is amply satisfied by the presence of cholera in endemic form.
The second is in all probability sufficiently accurate in many municipalities to meet.
the case.
The third is at present unattainable.
The fourth is also open to serious doubts, for the term " protected " as applied to water-
supplies in the Madras Presidency can only be regarded as relative and in most cases does.
not come up to the standard required for a successful application of the phenomenon.
AGENTS FOR THE SALE OFF MADRAS GOVERNMENT
PUBLICATIONS.
IN INDIA.
BUTTERWORTH & CO, (LTD.), 6, Hastings Street, Calcutta.
R. CAMBRAY & Co., Calcutta.
E. M. GOPALAKRISHNA KONE, Pudumantapam, Madura.
HARTLEYS, Mount Road, Madras.
HIGGINBOTHAMS (LTD.), Mount Road, Madras.
V. KALYANARAMA IYER & C o . , E s p l a n a d e ,
Madras.
G. C. LOGANADHAM BROTHERS, Madras.
S. MURTHY & CO., Madras.
G. A. NATESAN & CO., Madras.
The Superintendent, NAZAIR KANUN HIND PRESS, Allahabad.
NIVASARKAR, Manager, “Hitawada,” Nagpur.
P. R. RAMA IYER & CO., Madras,
RAMAKRISHNA & SONS, Lahore.
R. SUNDER PANDURANG, Kalbadevi Road, Bombay
.
D. B. TARAPOREVALA SONS & CO., Bombay
.
THACKER & Co. (LTD.), Bombay.
THACKER, SPINK & CO., 3, Esplanade East, Calcutta.
S. VAS & Co., Madras.
S.P.C.K. PRESS, Vepery, Madras.
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
B. H. BLACKWELL, 50 and 51, Broad Street, Oxford.
CONSTABLE & Co., 10, Orange Street, Leicester Square, London, W .C.
DEIGHTON, BELL & Co. (LTD.), Cambridge.
T. FISHER UNWIN (LTD,), 1, Adelphi Terrace, London, W.
C.
GRINDLAY & Co., 54, Parliament Street, London, S.W.
KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER & CO. (LTD.), 68–74, Carter Lane, London
E.C., and 39, New Oxford Street, London, W.C.
HENRY S. KING & Co., 65, Cornhill, London, E.C.
P. S. KING & SON, 2 and 4, Great Smith Street, Westminster, London, S.W.
LUZAC & CO., 46, Great Russell Street, London, W.C.
B. QUARITCH, 11, Grafton Street, New Bond Street, London, W.
W. THACKER & Co., 2, Creed Lane, London, E.C
.
OLIVER AND BOYD, Tweeddale Court, Edinburgh.
E. PONSONBY (LTD.), 116, Grafton Street, Dublin.
WHELDON AND WESLEY (LTD.), 2, 3 and 4, Arthur Street, New Oxford
Street, London, W.C. 2.
ON THE CONTINENT.
ERNEST LEROUX, 28, Rue Bonaparte, Paris.
FRIEDLANDER AND SOHN, Berlin.
MARTINUS NIJHOFF, The Hague, Holland.
OTTO HARRASSOWITZ, Leipzig.
if
REPORT
ON THE WORKING OF THE
KING INSTITUTE OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
GUINDY
FOR THE YEAR
1922—23
(WITH APPENDICES)
BY
MAJOR J . CUNNINGHAM, B.A., M.D.,
I.M.S.
Director, The King Institute, Guindy
MADRAS
PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRESS
PRICE, 1 rupee 12 annas
1924
REPORT
ON THE WORKING OF THE
KING INSTITUTE OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
GUINDY
FOR THE YEAR
1922–23
(WITH APPENDICES)
BY
MAJOR J. CUNNINGHAM, B.A., M.D., I.M.S.
Director, The King Institute, Guindy
MADR AS
PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRESS
1924
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE OF
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE, GUINDY, FOR THE OFFICIAL
YEAR 1922—23.
INTRODUCTION.
The King Institute during the past year has continued to act as :
—
(1) The vaccine lymph depot for the Madras Presidency.
(2) The bacteriological laboratory where both the large and small scale
manufacture of bacterial vaccines is carried on.
(3) The laboratory where clinical bacteriological work is performed for the
Presidency hospitals and for the medical profession of the Madras Presidency in
general.
(4) The Presidency Public Health laboratory.
(5) A research laboratory for the investigation of problems connected with
medicine and public health.
A considerable advance has been made during the year in the development of
certain of these functions. The scheme for the reorganization of the superior
staff, mentioned in last year's report as being before Government, was passed
during the year. The full effect of these changes will be detailed later.
The present report has been divided into the following sections which con-
veniently describes the various activities of the Institute during the year under
report :—
I. Staff and buildings.
V. Assistance to other departments.
II. General.
VI. Educational.
III. Financial.
VII. Research work.
IV. Scientific.
I.—STAFF AND BUILDINGS.
Major J. Cunningham, I.M.S., was in charge of the Institute throughout the
year. The post of Assistant Director was filled by Major J. A. Cruickshank,
I.M.S., for the same period. The reorganization scheme mentioned above was
passed by Government in their G.O. Mis. No. 1542-P.H., dated the 10th November
1922. The main object of this scheme was :
—
(1) To provide the Institute with a staff sufficient to carry on the greatly
increased volume of work which it is now called upon to do.
(2) To remodel the staff of the vaccine section so as to bring it into line
with modern requirements.
(3) To create a public health section which would be capable of carrying
out all the duties connected with public health work and which would be ready
to commence research work in connexion with the standards for Indian food and
drugs on the appointment of a Public Analyst for the Institute.
(4) To obtain a proper and uniform grading of the laboratory attendants in
the Institute.
These objects have now to a great extent been attained. The permanent
staff of Assistant Surgeons has been augmented by three to assist in medical and
bacteriological diagnosis. The Sub-Assistant Surgeon whose services were tem-
porarily employed in connexion with bacterial vaccine manufacture has now been
made permanent. The public health section has been strengthened by the
appointment of two junior assistants one for the chemical, the other for the
bacteriological side.
The staff of the vaccine section has been completely remodelled. Instead of
five District Health Inspectors (old name Deputy Inspectors of Vaccination)
belonging to the Public Health Department, three permanent posts for assistants
2 1
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
STATEMENT No. 3.
Showing the Financial statement of the King Institute, Guindy, for the year 1922-23.
—
Receipts.
Expendi-
ture.
Profit.
DETAILS OF RECEIPTS.
No.
Value at Governmen
rates for private
bodies.
Amount.
RS.
RS.
RS.
Rs.
Bacteriological Examinations made . . .
8,324
. . .
2,54,704
7 1 , 6 5 4 . . .
16,887
Doses of bacterial vaccine supplied . . .
2 6 0 . . .
7,040
Autovaccines made . . .
2, 079, 915 . . .
1,20,995
Cases of Vaccine lymph . . .
Total receipts . . .
4,08,626
4,08,626
. . .
. . .
DETAILS OF EXPENDITURE.
Salaries, Establishments, Purchase of Store, Calves,
e t c . a n d c o n t i n g e n c i e s . . . .
2, 05, 493
Cost of Stationery supplied . . .
749
372
Cost of Clothing supplied to staff . . .
11,691
Expenditure on Buildings . . .
1,131
Do. on Electric Installation . . .
Total Expenditure . . .
2,19,436
. . .
2,19,436
Total, King Institute . . .
4,08,626
2,19,436
1,89,190
STATEMENT No. 4.
Showing the month-war success rate for lanoline and glycerine vaccine lymph for the year
1922-23 issued from the King Institute, Guindy.
(Primary vaccination cases).
Months.
Lanoline vaccine.
Glycerine vaccine.
Combined totals.
T o t a l n u m b e r o f c a s e s .
N u m b e r o f s u c c e s s f u l c a s e s .
P e r c e n t a g e o f c a s e s u c c e s s . P e r c e n t a g e o f i n s e r t i o n s u c c e s s .
T o t a l n u m b e r o f c a s e s .
N u m b e r o f s u c c e s s f u l c a s e s .
P e r c e n t a g e o f c a s e s s u c c e s s . P e r c e n t a g e o f i n s e r t i o n s u c c e s s .
T o t a l n u m b e r o f c a s e s
.
N u m b e r o f s u c c e s s f u l c a s e s .
P e r c e n t a g e o f c a s e s u c c e s s. Pe r c e nt a ge of i ns e r t i on s uc c e s s .
April
1922. 56,572
39,897
70.5
40.0
10,167
9,154
90.0
75.8
66,739
49,051
73.5
45.3
May
"
11,451
8,868
77.5
47.8
1,939
1,777
91.6
80.5
13,390
10,645
79.5
52.7
June
"
15,773
9,598
60.8
31.9
2,265
1,921
84.8
60.2
18,038
11,519
63.9
35.4
July
"
57,920
44,562
76.9
48.3
7,232
6,402
88.5
70.7
65,152
50,964
78.2
50.7
August "
61,232
44,722
73.0
44.0
7,707
6,682
86.7
66.4 68,939
51,404
74.6
46.9
September "
91,736
72,699
79.3
51.1
18,159
15,972 88.0
68.3 109,895
88,671
80.7
54.0
October "
100,218
80,069
79.8
51.2 12,425
11,308
91.0
76.1 112,643
91,377
81.1
53.9
November "
86,391
68,600
79.4
51.0
35,818
32,466
90.6 75.9 122,209 101,066
82.7
58.4
December "
65,873
52,536
79.7 50.9
48,044
44,463
92.5
78.4 113,917
96,999
85.1
62.5
January 1923. 45,296
36,041
79.6
52.0
55,726
52,205
93.7
81.6 101,022 88,246
87.4
68.3
February "
39,616
30,927
77.1
50.3
49,085
44,648
91.0
74.9
88,701
75,575
85.2
63.9
March "
20,804
14,864
71.4 41.7 52,259
42,786
81.9
60.6
73,063
57,650
78.9
55.2
Total . . . 652,882 503,383
77.1
48.4 300,826 269,784
89.7
73.6 953,708 773,167
81.0
56.4
Note.— Returns for 3,786,789 Insertions were received. This figure accounts for 946,697.2 cases at a rate of 4
insertions per case.
The number of returns received is thus ample for the estimation of an insertion success rate .
24
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
STATEMENT NO. 10.
Showing the average yield of pulp per calf according to the months of the year 1922-23.
S e r i a l N u m b e r .
Months.
Grammes.
Average yield of
lymph per calf
during 1922-23.
Average .
1
April
1922
. . .
18.00
2 0 . 4 g r a m m e s .
2
May " . . .
No work.
3
June " . . .
4
July " . . .
5
August " . . .
6
September " . . .
20.67
7
October " . . .
18.75
8
November " . . .
22.48
9
December " . . .
19.66
10
January 1923 . . .
19.38
11
February " . . .
1 9 . 6 6
12
M a r c h " . . .
21.59
Calves operated 1921-22 : 997
Average yield per calf in grammes : 20.2.
Calves operated 1922-23 : 825.
Average yield per calf in grammes : 20.4.
STATEMENT No. 11.
Showing the number of doses of Bacterial vaccines issued during the last 5 years.
Number of doses sent out.
1918.
1919.
1920.
1921-22.
1922-23.
Autogenous vaccines . . .
1,718
1,095
2,309
1,634
1,742
Other vaccines . . .
56,398
97,172
66,739
59,928
69,912
Total . . .
58,116
98,267
69,048
61,562
71,654
STATEMENT No. 12.
Showing Bacterial vaccines supplied during 1922-23.
S e r i a l N u m b e r .
Nature of vaccines.
Number of
doses of
autogenous
vaccine.
Number of
doses of
stock
vaccine.
Total.
1 Staphylococcus . . .
5 1 4
1,344
1,858
2 Mixed Staphylo-Streptococcus . . .
. . .
40
40
3 Pemphigus Streptococcus . . .
51
99
150
4 Pyorrhoea Streptococcus . . .
. . .
32
32
5 Streptococcus . . .
408
623
1,031
6 Gonococcus . . .
. . .
3,944
3,944
7
Pneumococcus . . .
205
142
347
8 Bacillus Coli . . .
84
111
195
9 Acne Bacillus . . .
114
146
260
10 Tuberculin . . .
. . .
262
262
11 Bacillus Pyocyaneus . . .
44
21
65
12 Compound Catarrhal . . .
238
146
384
13 Cholera (prophylactic) . . .
. . .
38,810
38,810
14 Bacillus Influenza . . .
12
7,151
7,163
15 Combined typhoid Paratyphoid A. and B. . . .
. . .
9,501
9,591
16 Meningococcus . . .
. . .
7,450
7,450
17 Micrococcus Catarrhalis . . .
24
. . .
24
18 Other vaccines . . .
4 8
. . .
48
Total . . .
1,742
69,912
71,654
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
STATEMENT NO. 14.
Showing the quantity and types of serum bought and distributed by King Institute during 1922-23.
Name of serum.
Stock on
hand on 1st
Apr. 1922.
Received
during
1922-23.
Issued
during
1922-23.
Balance on
hand on 1st
Apr. 1923.
Anti-Tetanic serum . . .
376
1,651
1,963
64
Anti-Streptococcus serum . . .
224
673
845
52
Anti-Dysenteric serum . . .
12
690
496
206
Anti-Diphtheritic serum . . .
67
190
221
36
Anti-Meningococcus serum . . .
11
188
134
65
Anti-Anthrax serum . . .
20
50
10
60
Anti-Venomous serum . . .
38
26
57
7
Coley 's
fluid
.
.
.
2
. . .
2
20
Total . . .
770
3,468
3,728
510
STATEMENT No 15.
Specimens (excluding water) examined in the Public Health section during 1922-23.
Number.
Description of specimens.
Total number
dealt with.
1
Cow's milk for chemical and bacteriological examination
6
2
Human milk
do.
do.
8
3
Condensed milk
do.
do.
3
4
Proprietary dried and malted products . . .
11
5
Oysters for bacteriological examination . . .
20
6
" Ghur " for chemical and bacteriological examination.
1
7
Butter do.
do.
do.
1
8
" " Ice " for bacteriological examination . . .
2
9
" Syrup "
do.
do
. . .
1
10
Toilet soap for complete analysis . . .
1
11
Beer
do.
do.
. . .
1
12
Oilcakes
do.
do.
. . .
2
13
Salt
do. do.
. . .
2
14
Sulphuric acid
do.
. . .
1
15
Bleaching powder for available chlorine . . .
54
16
Disinfectants for Rideal Walker Test . . .
6
17
Snakes for identification
. . .
6
18
Preparation of Vitamin extrac 74 ounces in all
. . .
2
19
Faeces for chemical and bacteriological examination . . .
22
Total
. . .
150
STATEMENT No. 16.
Samples of water examined during 1922-23.
Nature of examination.
Routine
and
Intermittent.
Guindy
Experimental
filters.
Samples
from the
Madrs city
Water- supply.
Total .
Bacteriological and Chemical . . .
351
145
* 915
1,411
Bacteriological only . . .
99
137
† 368
604
Chemical only . . .
1
. . .
†452
453
Total . . .
451
282
1,735
2,468
*Includes the emergency period.
† In connexion with chlorination experiments.
Reg. No.
613/3
Copies. – 6+474
Helio-Zinco., Survey Office, Madras.
1924.
CHART No. I
SHOWING THE MONTHWAR CASE AND INSERTION SUCCESS RATES FOR LANOLINE AND GLYCERINE LYMPHS FOR 1922-2
3
BOTH FOR PRIMARY AND RE-VACCINATION ISSUED FROM THE K. I. P. M.
Helio-Zinco., Survey Office, Madras.
1924
CHART NO.II
SHOWING THE CASE SUCCESS OBTAINED IN PRIMARY AND RE-VACCINATION WITH LANOLINE AND GLYCERINE LYMPH
ACCORDING TO DISTRICTS. THE DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THE TYPES OF MONSOON PREVALENT IN THEM
* L a n o l i n e l y m p h w a s n o t s u p p l i e d
Reg. No.
6 1 3 / 4
Copies 6+474
Reg, No. 613
/
2
Copies.
6+474
Helio-Zinco . Survey Office Madras,
1924.
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
33
infected. The entire jail was accordingly treated for the disease; a factor which contributed
very materially to the improvement of the health of the convicts.
Examination of convalescents and men employed in the preparation and distribution of
food formed an important factor in controlling the spread of diseases where this depended
upon food and drink for their spread. This examination was undertaken by the laboratory.
A permanent kitchen staff of healthy convicts was thus established. At the request of the
Inspector-General of Prisons a training in simple laboratory methods was accorded to the
medical staff of the jail.
Summary of Examinations carried out at the King Institute Camp Laboratory,
Alipurarn Jail, Bellary.
Serial
number.
Nature of specimens.
Positive Negative. Total.
Remarks.
1
Blood films for malarial parasi-
tee.
71
395
466
2
Haemoculture ...
...
15*
49
64
* Leucocytosis 4B. Typhosus 4 Para
C. 7, Para. A.
3
B. Films for differential lenco-
cyte count.
7
10
17
4
Sputa for tubercle bacilli
...
8
100
108
5
Naso-pharyngeal swabs for
meningococcus.
. . .
621
621
6
Cerebro-spinal fluid for men-
ingococcus.
12
5
17 D. Phenomenai.
7 Fæces for amœbic dysentery ...
416
480
896
8
" bacillary dysentery .
366
255+4
625
9
" typhoid group ...
5
155
160
10
", ova ... ... ...
615
85
700
11
" cysts ... ,.. ...
24
164
188
12
Urine bacteriological exami-
nation.
1
14
15 B. Para. A.
13
Urine microscopical examina
-
tion.
. . . ...
40
14
Urine Chemical ..
„.
..
. . .
. . .
75
15
Pathological exudates ..
...
3
19
22
16
Post-mortem material ...
...
9
6
15
17
Widal reaction T.A.B.
...
5
9
14
...
. . . 4,043
18
Macroscopical examination of
fæces for latent dysentery.
2,035
3,055
5,090
Grand Total ...
. . .
. . . 9,133
9
38
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
LIST OF VILLAGES VISITED.
Kumbakōnam taluk.
Tanjore taluk.
Marudāndanallū r.
Solamangai.
Pavanamangalam.
Perumalkoil.
Pā n g al.
Māhadhānapuram.
Venkatasamudram.
Tirukkarugavū r.
Kottangudi.
Arattūr.
Tundarāyampā di.
Kiliyū r.
Kottaiyū r.
Korulacheri.
Perumpuliyū r.
Manakkal.
Innambū r.
Tippirājapuram.
Mēlattiruppanturitti. Veidalū r.
Tiruppirambiyam.
Pattiswaram.
Kilattiruppanturitti.
Uttukkādu.
Swāmimalai.
Valayapēttai.
Kandiyū r.
Tiruvaithikkā du.
Timmakudi.
Aryapadayur.
Veeranjeri .
Viramangalam.
Tiruvisanallū r.
Thonampadigai.
Tandā ngōrai.
Vishnampēttai
Karuppū r.
Devanā njēri.
Mattū r.
Sattanū r.
Kallūr.
Perumandy.
Nāgatti.
Velukudi.
Nilattanallū r.
Veppattū r.
Māhārā japuram..
Lakshmankudi.
Asūr.
Anakkudi.
Palamārnēri.
Kolattū r.
Bāpurāiapuram.
Vilathakondan.
Alamēlupuram.
Titte.
Tiruvalanjuli.
Sölavaram.
Tōttakkā du .
Kadakadappai.
Chart showing the number of deaths from relapsing fever arranged according to age
and sex in the sixty villages of the Kumbakonam and Tanjore taluks visited by me.
(Vide list of villages visited.)
Reg. No , 613
/5
Copies — 6+474
Helio-Zinco., Survey Office, Madras,
1924,
CHART showing the total number of DEATHS MONTH by MONTH
from RELAPSING FEVER in the Sixty villages of the KUMBAKONAM & TANJORE
TALUKS visited by me
VIDE LIST OF VILLAGES ATTACHED
44
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
Coimbatore Central Jail.
W. S. No. 75 of 1922.
The samples from the æromotor well, Garden well No.1 and factory well contain
vibrios.
The sample from the annexe well is by far the best of the series and also of the wells
in the Coimbatore district so far examined at this Institute. It is much less hard, contains
only about a third of the total solids present normally in other wells, and the major portion
of the hardness is temporary and removeable. If this supply could be utilized for the whole
jail, it would mark very definite improvement as far as the water-supply of the jail is con
-cerned. The samples from the æromotor and garden wells particularly show a considerable
excess of organic matter both in an oxidised and unoxidised condition.
Seeing that the condition of the water-supply is far from satisfactory, it appears impera
-tive that a system of efficient chlorination or boiling should be inaugurated.
THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY,
3rd July 1923.
J. CUNNINGHAM, M.D., MAJOR, I.M.S.,
Director.
To
The Surgeon-General
with the Government of Madras, Madras.
Copy to the Director of Public Health, Madras.
" t o t h e I n s p e c t o r - G e n e r a l o f P r i s o n s , O o t a c a m u n d .
" t o t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , Ce n t r a l J a i l , Co i mb a t o r e .
49
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
was transferred. Any further details as to future attacks of diseases, etc., was to be made on
his card there. By this system it is hoped that there would be an improvement in
—
(1) the easy detection of carriers,
(2) their early isolation; and
(3) prompt administration of specific treatment
and these in turn should
—
(i) prevent outbreaks of epidemics and greatly reduce
(ii) hospital admissions,
(iii) and the general mortality rates.
Table showing the number of examinations made by the laboratory at Cannanore.
Nature of specimen.
Total.
Positive.
Negative.
1. Blood film for Malaria
...
...
...
...
40
5
35
2. " for differential count ... ... ... ...
17
17
...
3. Haemocultures
4
. . .
4
4. Sputum for tubercle bacilli ...
...
23
12
11
5. Cerebro-spinal fluid ...
...
...
...
6
4
2
6. Faeces for amoebae ... ... ... ... ...
234
68
166
7.
"
Baccillary Dysentery ...
...
...
...
234
136
98
8. " ova
...
...
...
...
970
. . . ...
9. Urine for culture ...
1
1
. . .
10. Blood for Widal ... ... ... ... ... ...
1
. . .
1
11. Throat swabs for meningococci
...
...
...
...
1,463
...
1,463
12. Latent Dysentery stool for amoebic cysts . ... ...
357
. . .
. . .
13.
"
"
for culture
...
...
...
85
8 5
1 8 67
Total ...
3 , 4 3 5
. . .
. . .
14. Microscopical examination of faeces for ' Latent
Dysentery.'
4,054
1,124
2,930
Grand total ...
7,489
...
...
13