8
REPORT OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
4. Wassermann tests.—The total number of Wassermanns done this year
was 16,08 , i.e., the same number as last year. Over 2,000 Kahn tests have been
done and results compared with the Wassermann test. Last year's findings have
b e e n f u l l y c o r r o b o r a t e d . T h e n e w f o r m i n t r o d u c e d l a s t y e a r h a s c o n s i d e r a b l y
facilitatea such comparison.
Further increase in work is now anticipated for at the time of writing this,
report Government have passed orders reducing the fee for the Wassermann from
R s . 3 2 t o R s . 5 . T h i s c o n c e s s i o n i s m a d e a p p l i c a b l e t o t h e M a d r a s p r a c t i t i o n e r s
only. Its extension to mufassal practitioners is under consideration of the
Government.
5. General.—Details are given in Table XIII. No comments on this are
necessary.
6. Cases of interest— (a) Cerebrospinal meningitis.— The following are the
illustrative cases of meningitis in which organisms other than D. meningitis
(Weichselbaum) were isolated :—
(i) 21st February 1928. Case of hyperpyrexia and unconsciousness.
C.S. fluid which was turbid and under pressure gave a growth of D. pneumoniæ.
(ii) 5th July 1928. C.S. fluid was received from the Government,
Hospital, Salem, from a patient with the following symptoms—Hyperpyrexia,
semi-consciousness and colicky pains in the region of the kidneys. C.S. fluid
yielded a pure growth of an organism belonging to micrococcus catarrhalis group.
(iii) On three occcasions, Friedlanders pneumobacillus was isolated from
the C.S. fluid from cases of acute meningitis.
(b ) Typhoid group.—The existence of group agglutinins, and the late
development of paratyphoid agglutinins are points which have to be considered
in the interpretation of widal tests. These points are illustrated by the following
cases:—
(i) Sera from two cases of fever were received from the Medical Officer,
Tindivanam. Both these agglutinated B. typhosus in a dilution of 1—100 but
not any of the paratyphoid group. The blood culture done on the same day,
showed however a growth of B. paratyphosus A. The widal reaction was
repeated with both the sera one week after. It was now positive with B.
typhosus in 1—400 and with paratyphoid A in 1—200.
(ii) 10th December 1928. Blood sent for cultural examination from a
case of pyrexia, yielded a lactose fermenting bacillus belonging to the B. Coli
group of organisms. The serum of patient agglutinated this organism in a
dilution of 1—100. However the serum at the time when blood culture was made
showed also agglutination against B. typhosus in 1— 200.
(iii) B. typhosus was isolated from pus obtained from an intraperitoneal
abcess.
(c) Typhus fever.— In view of the increasing evidence as to the presence of
Tick Typhus in India, the following case reported from Berhampur is of interest.
The available particulars were as follows :
—
A. case of pyrexia lasting for 13 days Temperature ranged from 100° F.
— 1 0 4°F
. T h e r e w a s s e v e r e t o x æ m i a a n d d e l i r i u m e a r l y i n t h e d i s e a s e . T h e r a s h
appeared on the fourth day. It was most marked on forearms and abdomen, the
palms of hands and soles of feet remained free. The cultural and serological
tests were negative for typhoid group of organisms. Weil Felix reaction was
positive, the serum reacting in a dilution of 1 in 200. The strain used was B.
Protons R.A.M.C.X. 19.
(D) & (E) PUBLIC HEALTH SECTION.
Messrs. Raghavachari and Parameswara Ayyar were in respective charge of
the bacteriological and chemical sub-sections during the absence of Mr. Hawley
on. leave till November, when he resumed charge and continued to hold it during
the rest of the year. These officers have collaborated in writing this portion of
the report.