NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
378
the best, because it was used with satisfactory results in Thessalia some years ago. I
got a culture of this microbe and tried it on white mice, and obtained a culture
which was very virulent, but I had not success with the black rats. I know that
the same was experienced by Dr. Galeotti, to whom I sent one of my cultures of
Lasar's microbe. Dr. Galeotti will receive in a short time from Plague another more-
virulent culture of the same microbe, and will repeat the experiments.
Dr. A. LÜSTIG,
Prof., R. University, Florence;
No. 5444 OF 1898-99.
BOMBAY., 9th February 1899.
Copy forwarded to the Municipal Secretary for the information of the Corpora-
tion.
W. L. HARVEY, Commissioner.
13. Dr. Choksy being called on for a report on the cases inocu-
lated at the Arthur Road Hospital, during January and February, with
the new serum manufactured at Parel, his letter No. 325 of 1899 IB
herewith published, with a table of cases. Dr. Dargalkar of the Maratha
Hospital also forwards a table of cases inoculated at that Hospital by
Drs. Galliotti and Polverini.
No. 325 OF 1899.
ARTHUR ROAD HOSPITAL,
BOMBAY, 18th March 1899.
To LIEUT.-COL. J. S. WILKINS, D.S.O., I.M.S.,
SPECIAL MEDICAL OFFICES,
PLAGUE OPERATIONS.
SIR,—I have the honour to forward herewith statistics of the case» treated with
Professor Lustig's serum during the latter end of January and the month of February
1899.
The cases are divided into 6 Series as follow :—
Series.
1
2
3
4
5 (to be continued)..
6 (
do.
)
Total...
Horse
No.
5
2
8
2
1
4
• ·· ···
No.
18
11
17
13
8
1
68
Died.
14
8
10
11
5
0
48
Recovered.
4
8
7
2
3
1
20
Of the 68 cases treated during the period, 48 died and 20 recovered, giving
mortality rate of 70·60 per cent., the hospital mortality in January and February was
82·83 per cent, and 79·41 per cent, respectively.
I have, &c.,
(Sd.) N. H. CHOKSY, KHAN BAHADUR,
Extra Assistant Health Officer,
379
SERIES I.—HORSE No. 5.
General!
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
g \J
9
10 AV/
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Serial 1
No. 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Date of
Admission.
29th January...
28th
„ ...
31st
,j .··
31st
„ ...
1st February.
»
···
»
···
»
··.
»
···
2nd , .
**·"·«·
f $
w
1st „
2nd „
.«
3rd "
4th „
6th „
...
30th January.
8th February
Names.
Gir ja, wife of Aloo ..
J. J. DeSilva
Unknown
Mahadu Ittoo
Eambhoo Bag u .··
Rama Bagoo
Shuna Yessoo
...
Ganesh Khedoo ...
B i r o n j i, wife of
Ganesh.
Devola Gainoo
Yessoo Kandaji
Genoo Gosai
Pan doo Gopal
Shiwa Hari
Aba Bala
Govind Haroo
Miss S. P
Bamchandra Narayer
Age.
10
61
42
10
20
20
40
38
25
18
30
29
15
30
32
25
16
ι
20
Sex.
F.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
F.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
F.
M.
Caste.
Hindu
Christian ...
Hindu
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Parsee
Hindu
Duration.
2 days
6 „
«·
Not known.
4 days ...
Do.
Do.
2 days
Do.
3 days
Do.
5 days
3 days
1 day
4 days.
7 CO ··
3 days
2 „
..
4 „
•Rnhn
' Quantity
Bul)0
·
i Rejected.
Bight cervical
...
Left inguinal and
femoral.
Bight inguinal
...
Left axillary
Do.
Bight inguinal
Left axillary with
infiltration.
Bight axillary and
pectoral.
Left inguinal
Bight
axillary,
Eight cervical in-
filtration.
Do.
do. ...
Left femoral, ingui-
nal and iliac.
Bight
do.
Left inguinal
Left inguinal, femó
ral and iliac. Bigh
parotid.
Bight inguinal and
iliac.
Bight femoral anc
iliac.
Bight femoral
28 c.c. ...
20 „ ...
45 „ ...
85 „ ...
30 „ ...
135 „ ...
145 „ ...
70 „ ...
95 „ ...
40 „ ...
15 „ ...
15 „ ...
73 „ ...
75 „ ...
125 „ ..
100 „ .,
511 „ ..
140 „ ..
I
I
Recovered.
31st Jan. 1899
30th „ „
1st Feb. 1899.
1st Feb. 1899.
4th Feb. 1899.
4th
„ ...
3rd
„ ·..
2nd
„ ...
3rd
„ ..
5th
„ ..
6th
„ ..
12th
„ ..
8th
„ .,.
··· ···
21st Feb. 1899
...
...
«··
lecovered.
··
Recovered.
Do. ...
...
···
...
• •V
...
...
...
Eecovered
••j
REMARKS.
Temperature 106·4° death from
gradual heart failure.
Injected on the 6th day; died 4
hours after injection.
Moribund ; life kept up by sti-
mulant injections.
Septic type ; profuse malaria ;
bubo suppurated ; good re-
covery.
Moribund ; died 12 hours after
admission.
Septic type ; recovery without
suppuration of bubo.
Septic type ; recovery with sup-
puration.
Improvement and then relapse.
Meningeäl symptoms Hoemate-
mesis
Multiple buboes.
Injected on the 2nd ; died 2
hours after injection.
Moribund ; died 6 hours after
injection.
Semi-conscious on admission.
Death from failure of heart.
Lived for 8 days ; death from
oedema of lungs.
Heart very feeble, life pro-
longed by stimulant injections.
Had a relapse in the shape of an
iliac bubo on the left side.
Died 14 days after admission
from cedma of lungs.
380
SERIES II.—HOESE No. 2.
GenermNo. 1 S1
9
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Date of Admission.
3rd .February ...
2nd February,,.
Do. ...
Do. ...
Do. ...
Do. ...
4th Do. ...
Do. ...
5th Do. . .
Do. ...
Do. ...
Names.
Marooti Jamba
Jani, wife of Bhawoo ...
J. Aveline Fernandez ...
Tribhuwan Govind ...
Dewa Tunba ...
.?.
Marooti Santoo
Samboo Ganoo
Jamnabai, daughter of
Dalai.
Soma Mitha
Salvador Noronha
Shiwram Bhawoo
Ago.
25
20
18
18
28
35
2*
6
50
40
12
Bex.
M.
F.
F.
M.
M.
M.
M.
F.
M.
M.
M.
Caste.
Hindoo ...
Do. ...
Christian ...
Hindu
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Christian ...
Hindu
Duration.
6 days.
3 „
2
2 „
4 „
*
„
3 „
2 „
1 „
3 „
2 „
Bubo.
Eight femoral-
Do
Right axillary ...
;..
Eight femoral
Left femoral and iliac.
Left inguinal and axil-
lary.
Eight femoral
Eight axillary
Right inguinal
Left femoral, inguinal
and iliac.
Left femoral and ingui-
nal.
Quantity In-
jected.
20 c.c.
15 c.c.
100 c.c.
110 c.c.
45 c.c.
110 c.c.
10 c.c.
30 c.c.
16 c.c.
140 c.c,
30 c.c.
Died. | Recovered.
6-2-99
3-2-99
««it··
5-2-99
7-2-99
6-2-99
6-2-99
23-2-99
6-2-99
······
Recovered.
Do.
Recovered.
......
1
,
KEMABKS.
I
Injections stopped, as it was á
case of tetanus and aphasia.
Moribund ; died 2 hours after
injection.
Good recovery witho'nt sup-
puration of bubo.
Septic type, good recovery,
bubo suppurated.
Almost unconscious. Temp.
105°-106° heart failure.
Almost unconscious. Life pro-
longed by stimulant injec-
tions.
Death from sudden failure of
heart.
Epileptic convulsions. (Edema
of lungs.
Septic type, good recovery
without suppuration.
Death 18 days after admission,
from exhaustion,
from
sloughing of iliac bubo.
Death from sudden failure of
heart.
381
SERIES III.—HOUSE No, 3.
General I
No.
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Serial
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Q
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Π
Date of Admis-
sion.
7th February
Do.
Do.
Do.
8th February.
Do.
Do.
9th February.
lOfch
13th February.
Do.
ι Oth February
Do
..
Do.
3th February
«ι» „ ..:
1st
„ ...
Names.
Dagroo Janoo
Dhondoo Bhairoo ..
Ja' wife of Tukaram
Pari, wife ?f Bapuj
Baloo Takoo
Bhawansing Eaising
Dhondoo Sagoo ..
Eose M. DeSilva ..
Khondi daughter of
Bal wan.
Shamji Pitamber ...
Dhondu Sakaram ...
Mrs. K
Miss K
.
Mr. M.
Chiini wife of Bapoo
Jeeji Khandu
SonuBabaji
Age.
10
30
50
20
18
12
19
22
12
40
25
45
18
25
40
12
30
Sex
M.
»
F
M.
»j
1)
F.
Λ
M.
«
F,
»
M.
F
ÍÍ
M.
Caste.
Hindu
..
Do.
Do
Do
Do.
Do.
Do.
Christian ..
Do.
Do.
Parsi
Do
Do.
Do.
Do.
Duration.
1 day
3 days
4 * }>
2 „
1 day
2 days
1 day
2 days
3 days
3 „
»
4 „
3 „
3 days
3 „
Bubo.
Left femoral
...
Eight inguinal
Ei^ht femoral and
iliac, Eight axil-
lary.
Eight axillary
Do
Left femoral
...
Left femoral
and
iliac.
Eight posterior cer-
vical, left femoral.
Eight femoral infil-
tration.
Bight femoral and
inguinal.
Do.
do. ...
guinal.
Left axillary
Left axillary with
infiltration.
Left femoral, Eight
axillary, Bight pos-
terior cervical.
Quantity
Injected.
m
600. C. ...
125 „ ...
55
··.
140 ,. ...
2 0 „ ...
55 „ ...
145 „ ...
20 „ ...
20 „ ...
125 „ ...
40 „ ...
68
...
SO , ...
70 <υ „ ...
82 „ ...
40 „ ...
Died.
9th Feb. 1899
17th
„ ...
8th
8th Feb. 1899
14th Fob 1899
13th
„ ...
18th
„ ...
31th
„ ...
15th Feb. 1899
22nd Feb. 1899
Becoveied.
Eecovered.
Eecovered.
Do. ...
Do. ...
Recovered
Do. ...
Recovered.
EEUAEKS.
Death from heart failure.
Do. do. exhaustion.
28th February 1899, bubo re-
solved.
Moribund, died 8 hours after one
injection, gradual heart failure.
Septic type, good recovery with-
out suppuration.
Septic type, good recovery with
suppuration.
27th February 1899, bubo re-
solved.
Death from sudden heart fail-
ure 7 hours after one injection.
Death from oedema of lung.
Diabetes mitral regurgitation.
Bubo suppurated.
Died 12 hours after injection ;
múltiplo buboes.
382
SERIES No. IV,—HORSE No. 2.
General
No.
47
48
49
50
51
C2
63
54
55
56
57
58
59
Serial
No.
1
2
3
4
5
G
7
0
9
10
11
12
13
Date of
Admission.
21sfc February ...
»ι
···
U
"
»>
··
24th
„
23rd
„
24th
„
»
···
»
25th
„
ι
26th
„
25th
„
5th
„
Namea.
'joda Horsayal
Jcwa Kalla
Parbhoo Narsoo
\
\
'ffiralal Taw
Ñama Rama ,
Ganoo Chandria
Gungararn Bhoda
Shanker Soofca
Eagoo Krishna
Sakarara Bapoo
Dhondoo Yifctoo
Sanpat Essoo
Mr. B. P. K. ...
I
Age.
40
18
30
45
35
22
50
5
32
IS
12
22
G
Sex.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
Caste.
Hindu ..
Do. ..
Do. ..
Do. ..
Do.
..
Do. ..
Do. ..
Do. ..
Do.
...
Do.
...
Do.
...
Do. ...
Parsi
Duration.
í days ..
2 „ ..
8 „ ..
3 „ ..
2 „ ..
2 „ ..
2 „ ..
2 „ ...
3 „ ...
2 „ ...
3 „ ...
2 „ -.
1 „ ...
Bubo.
Left femoral, inguinal anc
iliac.
Et. axillary with infiltra
tion.
Left axillary
Left femoral
Rt. inguinal
Left axillary with infiltra-
tion.
Rt. femoral and inguinal ...
Left femoral
Rt. post cervical
Left axillary, loft post cer-
vical.
Left axillary
...
...
Rt. inguinal
Left femoral and inguinal...
Quantity
Injected.
20 c. c.
20 c. c.
60 c. c.
120 c. c.
120 c. c.
140 c. c.
120 c. c.
35 c. c.
80 c. c.
60 c. c.
15 c. c.
20 c. c.
49 c. c.
Died.
21-2-99
22-2-99
22-2-99
2-3-99
27-2-99
27-2-99
28-2-99
2C-2-99
26-2-99
24-2-99
26-2-99
Recovered.
Recovered.
......
Recovered.
REMAKKS.
Died 3 hours after one injection,
moribund. Controlled, died.
Death from sadden heart failure.
Controlled, died.
Death from secondary pneumonia.
Control, died.
Death after ΙΟ-days from secondary
pneumonia. Control, recovered.
Control, died.
Injected on the 24th. Control,
died.
Control, died.
Recovered without suppuration of
bubo. Control, died.
Control, died.
Died 5 hours after one injection,
moribund.
Injected on the 3rd day, died 7
hours after injection.
Bubo resolved. No control.
383
SERÍES V.—HORSE No. 1.
General
No.
00
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
Serial
No
1
2
•Í
5
6
7
δ
1
Date of admis-
sion.
24th February...
26th
„
26th
„
...
26th
„
27th
„
26th
„
27th
„
28th
„
...
27th
„
Names.
Bale Kban Hasan ...
...
Rama Dagroo
...
··.
Bhoo Babaji ...
...
Buna Begla
Mahadoo Tanoo
Yedos Ranea
Kashibai
...
...
...
Mr. 8. P. 0
J. K. (6th Series)
Age.
18
26
19
SO
27
6
27
40
14
Sex.
M.
M.
M.
If.
M.
M.
F.
M.
M.
Caste.
Hindu ...
Do.
...
Do.
Do.
...
Do.
...
Do.
...
Do.
...
Parsi ...
Hindu ...
Duration.
2 days ...
»
j? ···
„ ...
3
„ ..
3
„ ...
ι » ...
1 » ».
i „ ·..
Bubo.
Left inguinal
Left axillary
Rt. femoral and iliac
Left femoral and inguinal..
Efc. parotid with infiltra-
tion on neck and chest.
Et. femoral
,
Do
Left femoral and inguinal .
Axillary
Quantity
Injected.
120 c. c.
50 c. c.
120 c. e.
80 c. c.
14 c. o..
25 c. c.
110 o.e.
55 c. Ci
70 c. c.
Died.
2-399
27-2 99
3-3-99
28-2-99
2-3-99
Recovered.
......
Recovered...
Do.
Do.
Recovered.
REMAKES.
Septic type, death from second·
ary pneumonia.
Died from sudden heart failure.
Control, recovered.
Septic type, death from heart
failure. Control, recovered.
Died from edema of lungs.
Control, died.
Recovery with suppuration of
bubo and infiltration.
Sudden failure of heart.
384
'Statement ofivork done by Dr. Galiotti with new Serum at the Maratha Plague Hospital up to 28th February 1899.
Mortality 72'7 per cent.
(Sd.) L. B. DHARG ALKER,
Register No
697
714
720
758
781
767
?7G
797
838
842
848
1
Names.
Maroti Gopal
Narbada Luxuma
Sakoo Malap ...
Bbika Eamji ..
Unía Mahadu
Dugdoo Honaji
Sai Sukaram...
Kalapa Basapa
ßabaji Narayen
tfarayen Bhawoo
Ganoo Kaloo ...
...
n ...
....
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
!
Sex.
Male ...
Teníale ..
Do.
Male ...
Female ..
Male ...
Female. .
Male ...
Do.
Do.
Do.
-Age.
20
18
85
G
u
30
15
20
80
35
30
Occupation.
Mill hand ..
Do.
Cooly
Nil
Nil
Cooly
Do.
Do.
Mill-hand ..
Cooly
Do,
Eesidences.
. Dongri, Muarri Satrs
house
. Segregation Camp,
Maratha Hospital
. Wari Bunder Segrega-
tion Camp
.No. 2, Gilder Street...
J127, Nowroji Hill,
North
. Appa Tclli's Chawl
House No. 9.
. 81, Bhandari Street ...
.Thoba Wani's Chawl.
'Kharwachi Wadi Fire
Brigade, Girgaum
2nd Nagpada, Huzuri
Moholla
Date
of
Admission.
2nd February ...
2nd
„
Bid
3rd
„
3rd
„
4th
„
4th
6th
„
7th
„
7th
7th
„
1st February ...
1st
„
2nd
„
2nd
„
2nd
„
...
3rd
„
3rd
„
4th
„
6th
„
Cth
„
Cth
„
Date of
sernm
injected.
2nd February ..
3rd
„
3rd
„
3rd
„
3rd
„
4th
„
fith „
6th
„
7th
„
7th
„
7th
„
1st day.
Morning.
. 15
. 18
20
. 5
. .¿.
. 19
. 15
. 15
. 10
. 15
Evening.
15
15
...
12
10
19
19
19
19
amount of serum injected.
2nd day.
Morning. I
10
15
10
10
10
18
19
...
19
19
Evening. 1
15
...
15
19
...
19
...
3rd day.
Morning.
19
10
10
19
...
19
Evening.
19
19
15
tth day.
Morning.
19
...
Evening, j
...
10
5th day.
Morning.
...
...
Evening. 1
...
...
EEMABKS.
Eecovered.
Died 8-50 p.m. 6-2-99.
Died 6 p.m. C-2-99,
Vapour bath given.
Died 4r30 p.m. 4-2-99.
Eecovered.
Died 7-50 p.m. 5-2*99
Died 5 a.m. 7-2-99,
Vapour bath given.
Eecovered.
Died 12-30 p.m.
11-2-99.
Died 7 a.m. 11-2-99.
Died 10 a.m. 10-2-99.
385
The cases on which, the serum was tried were practically selected
ones.
14. In March Dr. Galeotti was called on for a report as to whether,
in view of the unfavourable results of his serum, the experiments should
be continued, and in answer he forwarded his letter dated 29th March
1899 : —
To THE EXECUTIVE HEALTH OFFICER,
OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BOMBAY.
SIR,—With reference to your No. 35963 of 25th of March, 1 have the honour
to state—
(1) That I am not fully acquainted with the results of experiments made on
animals by the Plague Commission with the serum prepared locally. My own
experiments, however, are not at all unsatisfactory, and I beg to annex herewith a
statement showing the results upon monkeys and rats.
(2) The observations made in hospitals up to date,—136 patients, of whom 91
have died and 45 recovered, giving a mortality rate of 66·91 per cent, against
about 80 per cent, in cases not treated with the serum.
(3) In my experiences last year with the first supply of serum obtained from
Florence, it was found that this first serum was weak and its strength improved with
subsequent bleedings. 64 cases were treated in Bombay with the first supply from
Florence, and of these 40 died and 24 recovered, giving a mortality rate of 62·5 per
cent., which shows that the first supply of Florence serum gave about 4 per cent,
better results than that made in Bombay. But this year we have to contend against
a most virulent epidemic, when during some period the hospital mortality was over
85 per cent.
(4) I am of opinion, therefore, that a further trial, with the second supply of
serum, is necessary to decide its efficacy, and that it would be premature to draw any
conclusions, favourable or unfavourable, at present; and I would therefore propose that
the experiments might be continued until the second supply of serum is fully tested,
and I think in about one month or 6 weeks time, the number of observations will be
sufficient to enable us to judge of its effects.
(5) I have reason to believe that the Special Medical Officer, appointed by the
Surgeon-General with the Government of Bombay, is favourably impressed with the
results achieved up to the present from the study of the cases treated.
(6) It must, however, be remembered that the serum cau have a limited action
in the class of patients admitted into Arthur Road Hospital, and that under the
circumstances, even with the strongest serum, the results will be of a limited value.
But if it were intelligently applied in private practice, where medical men have
opportunities of seeing patients on the first day of disease, the results would be more
successful, and I should suggest that the second quantity might be placed at their
disposal with the necessary directions, and if some charge were made on each bottle
of serum supplied, it would be, I am sure, most willingly given.
I have, &c.,
DE. GINO GALEOTTI.
BOMBAY,
PAREL, the 29th March 1899.
386
Experiments with the serum of the horse No. 5.
Animals.
White Eat No. 1 ...
White Rat No. 2 ...
White Eat. Control ...
Monkey No. 1
Monkey. No. 2
Monkey Control
Weight
in grammes.
120
100
110
2,000
2,500
2,100
Quantity of infect-
ing injections.
¾ of one c. c.
£ id.
i at.
2 c. c. ...
3 c. c. ...
2 c. c. ...
...
···
Curative injections
with the serum.
After -8 hours ½ c. c.
After 27 hours ½ c. c.
After 3 hours ½ c. c.
After 27 hours ¼ c. c.
No injections
...
After 3 hours 5 c. c.
After 27 hours 5 c. c.
After 3 hours 5 c. c.
After 24 hours 5 c. c.
No injections
Results.
v Cured.
i Cured.
Died after one
· Cured.
I Died after
days.
Died after
days.
¿ay.
six
four
The animals were all injected on the morning of the 12th January with an
emulsion of an-agar-agar plague culture. The injections were made under the skin.
Experiments with serum of the horse No. 4.
Animals.
Monkey Control.
Monkey B
Monkey F
Monkey G
Weight in
grammes.
2,300
2,400
1,900
2,400
Quantity of
infecting injections.
1 c. c.
1 c. c
1 c. c
1 c. c
..
Curative Injections
with the serum.
No injections.
After 5 hours 5 c. c....
After 27 hours 5 c.c...
After 6 hours 5 c. c....
After 27 hours 5 c.c...
After 5 hours 5 c. c....
After 24 hours 5 c.c...
Results.
Dead after five days.
¡ Dead after sir
days.
Cured.
· Cured.
i
The animals were all injected on the 25th February with an emulsion of an agar-
agat plague culture.
Experiments with the serum of the horse No. 1.
Animals.
White Eat No. 1 ...
White Eat. Control ...
Monkey C
Monkey D
Monkey. Control
Weight in
grammes.
2,400
1,900
1,950
Quantity of infect-
ing injections.
¿ of one
id. ...
2cc
id...
id ...
c. c. ...«
(
1
Curative injections
with the serum.
After 3 hours J c. c.
„ 24 hours £ c. c.
No injections
After 8 hours 5 c. c.
After 24 hours 5 c. c.
After 8 hours 6' c. c.
After 24 hours 5 c. c
No injections
Results.
1 Cured.
Dead after one day.
1 Cured-
¡ Dead after eight
days.
Dead
after five
days.
The animals were all injected on the 20th February with an emulsion of an
agar-agar plague culture. The injections were made under the skin.
387
Experiment loith the serum of horse JWo t 3.
Animals.
White Eat No. 1 ...
White Eat No. 2 ...
White Bat. No. 3 ...
White Eat Control ...
Monkey A
Monkey B
Monkey. Control
Weight.
100
4 pds
2 pds.
4¿ pds.
Injections made on
the 7th February.
Piercing the tail
with an infected
needle.
id
id
id
Injection of 2 c. c.
culture.
id
id
Cnratire injeo
tiona.
After 3 honra J c, c,
After 27 1 ours } c. c.
After 3 hours J o. c.
After 2? hours J o. o.
After 3 hours } c. c.
After 5 horra 5 c. c.
After 27 hours 5 c. c.
After 5 hours 5 c. c.
After 24 houra 5 c. c
Remarks.
1 Cured.
i Cured.
Dead on the 10th-
February
Dead on 8th Feb-
ruary.
1 Cured.
V Cured.
J
1 Dead on 12th Feb-
ruary.
No. 100 OF 1899.
BOMBAY, 5 th April 1899.
To THE MUNICIPAL COMMISSIONER.
SIR,—With reference to your No. 7719 of 24th March 1899 and 7841 of the 27th
idem, I have the honour to forward herewith a letter from Dr. Galootti reporting on
the results of experiments made with the serum on monkeys and rats and to state my
opinion on the subject.
A certain expenditure has already been incurred which now amounts to about
Rs. 1,800 per month and a number of animals have been under treatment and are in a
certain stage of preparation
It appears to me therefore that the advice given by Dr. Galeotti in the 4th para,
of his letter is sound, namely, "that a further trial with the second supply of serum is
necessary to decide its efficacy, and that it would be premature to draw any conclusions,
favourable or unfavourable, at present ; and I would therefore propose that the experi-
ments might be continued until the second supply of serum is fully tested, and I think
in about one month and six weeks' time the number of observations will be sufficient
to enable me fco judge of its effects."
This advice deserves the more serious consideration inasmuch as the serum
treatment is the only form of remedy that offers any hope of reducing the mortality
amongst the sufferers from plague, I believe a second supply of serum can be obtained
after a month.
Dr. Galeotti also refers to observations made by the officer appointed by the
Surgeon General. The results of such observations, although as yet I know not their
nature, should be obtained and no doubt they will be supplied in time.
The last suggestion of Dr. Galeotti that the second supply of serum should be
offered to the Medical practitioners in private practice is a good one.
I believe there is a feeling in the Medical profession that the serum should bo
given a further trial. At any rate the Medical men in the Corporation might have an
opportunity—and no doubt they would desire an opportunity—of expressing an opinion
on the matter.
I have, &c.,
T. S. WEIR,
Health Officer.
388.
In consequence of the explanation given the Standing Committee
resolved to continue the experiments for six weeks longer.
15. Dr. Choksy sent in a further Report on the cases treated
during February ancj. March and April and his remarks are very interest-
ing as showing the increasing strength of the serum.
No. 403 OF 1899.
ARTHUR ROAD HOSPITAL.
BOMBAY, 12th April 1899.
To THE MUNICIPAL COMMISSIONER,
THROUGH THE SPECIAL MEDICAL OFFICER
AND THE EXECUTIVE HEALTH OFFICER.
SIR,—In conformity with the Executive Health Officer's No. 36094 of the 20th
ultimo, I have the honour to submit the following report and returns showing the
results obtained by Professor Lustig's serum.
2. During February 1899, 68 cases were treated with Professor Lustig's serum
of whom 48 died and 20 recovered, giving a mortality rate of 70*58 per cent. The
mortality of the cases not treated with serum during the same period was 79'16 per
cent. The results therefore show 8'58 per cent, in favour of the serum cases.
3. During March 1899, 74 cases were treated of whom 49 died and 25 recovered,
giving a mortality rate of 66*21 per cent, as against 79'4S per cent, in cases not treated
•with the serum. The results in this month are 13*27 per cent, in favour of the
serum cases.
4. The following table contrasts the mortality rate amongst the two classes of
cases:—
February
March
Mortality rate of
cases treated
with serum.
70*58
66-21
Mortality rate of
cases not treated
with serum.
79-16
79-48
Difference.
·8··58
13-27
5. As regards the cases treated with the serum, it may be noted that all cases
that were moribund and all those that had gone over six or seven days and were
either semi-convalescent or convalescent were excluded, so that the cases injected
with the serum represented a fairly average type of the most acute cases. The
mortality rate amongst the cases not treated with the serum would have been higher
were it not for the fact that a large number of semi-convalescent and convalescent
cases are included amongst them, and they have thus contributed in favour of the
non-serum cases. If anything the better results with the so-called " selected " cases
treated with the serum have been more than counterbalanced by the latter.
6. The serum treatment was put to as severe a test as possible during the height
of an epidemic which has been known for its extreme virulence. And so much so
that during some periods in February and March the mortality amongst the admissions
ranged between 85 to 90 per cent. That the serum can and does reduce the mortality
rate even in an epidemic of the present type is therefore beyond doubt.
7. The following tables give the details of the cases treated :—·