5
With regard to the parasites isolated from the case showing black granules it is
probably similar to that described by J. H. Wright (2), but unfortunately that
author's paper was not available for consultation. It corresponds partly also to the
description given by Boyce and Surveyor (3).
It may also be the same as. Brumpt's Madurella (4). The branched filaments of
the parasite are very much thicker than those of streptothrix. They have a well
defined sheath and septa which can be differentiated from the granular protoplasm by
staining. It takes gram but is not acid fast. It grows very well on media made
with acid vegetable infusions. On agar prepared from such the growth forms a
prominent felted grey mass. Growth also takes place in the depth and there a dark
green almost black pigment is formed. Growth however does not take place if the
colony is completely cut Off from the air. Subculturing is not readily obtained unless
some of the deep growing fibrils are taken. The colonies seem to spread peripherally
by means of fibres with burrow radially and then come to the surface. After several
months growth no trace of fructification has been made out. On. alkaline agar the
growth is not so luxuriant, it forms a felted mass almost flush with the surface of the
medium and the pigment in the depth is brownish rather than greenish black.
Kerosine-oil emulsion.–– In the autumn there was a very considerable demand
for this material and a more expeditious method of making it had to be adopted.
A 36-gallon cask had the top taken out and. replaced. with a cover having two
holes. A small one at one side through which the nozzle of a syphon could be
introduced, and a larger oval one opposite it which allowed the handle of a bass broom
to move up and down freely and. with some side play. Two gallons of hot soap
solution containing two double cakes of sunlight soap are put in the barrel. Using
the bass broom like the plunger of a churn the solution is beaten into a lather. The
oil is then run slowly in and. here is the only cricital part of the preparation. The oil
must not be run in too quickly at first. If once unemulsified oil is allowed to be
present in the mixture the whole batch is spoiled. .As the percentage of oil increases
the emulsion seems to form quicker so the flow of oil may be increased. After about
fifteen minutes a full flow of oil, amounting to 3 pints a minute, say, may be attained.
It is well to direct the flow of oil on to the bristles of the broom as it rises and. falls,
which then act as a distributor. With two coolies churning (one to relieve the other
as the churning must of course be continuous) 20 gallons of emulsion, a full charge of
the barrel, can easily be made in an hour. Unfortunately this emulsion, though
easily made, does not keep well, a week at the outside. Probably the best solution of
this difficulty, as the process is so simple, would be to make the emulsion locally as
required.
From the 1st of October the staff of the section was strengthened by the appoint-
ment of Mr. M. Parameswara Aiyar as Chemical Assistant. Till the present the
chemical work has been almost entirely confined. to water analysis in connection with
the systematic examination of Town water-supplies. Ultimately the chemical work
will probably be extended. so as to embrace the regular examination of water and food.
stuffs in so far as this is concerned. with public health.
EDUCATIONAL.
The usual courses in Minor Sanitary Engineering and. in Vaccination were held
during the year. In the Minor Sanitary Engineering class there were 43 students.
This year none of the students were of the Assistant Surgeon class. During the
course one student died. At the final examination 41 students appeared and 26 of
these passed. In the Vaccination class there were 25 students and all of these
obtained. qualifying marks in the examination held at the end. of the course.
F. M. GIBSON, B.Sc. (Expl. Sciences),
OFFICE OF THE SUPT., KING INSTITUTE,
M.B., C.M., B.Sc., Public Health,
GUINDY, 29th April 1909.
Ag. Superintendent, King Institute.
(2) A case of Mycetoma Journ. Ex. Medicine (1898) 3, pages 421-433.
(3) Upon the existence of more than one fungus in Madura disease (Mycetoma) Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc.
London (1894), 185 B, pages 1-14.
(4)
Surle, Mycetoma a grains novis. Maladie produite par une mucedinee du genre Madurella n.g. Compt.
Rend. Soc. biol. (1905), No. 58, pages 997-999.