TABLE I.
S e r i a l n u mb e r .
Description of specimens.
Number of
positive
results.
Number of
negative
results.
Total.
Remarks.
1 Plague, human
123
* 243
366
*Includes 50 showing putrefactive changes.
2
Do. animal
168
+1,073
1,241 +Includes 164 showing pu
trefactive changes.
3 Blood for Widal's test
‡293
$ 344
637 ‡ 140 (positive 1 in 32) and 153
4 Gærtner's reaction.
0
1
1
(positive 1 in 96).
5 Paratyphiod A (1 in 32)
0
17
17 $ 222 (negative 1 in 32), 119
6
D o . B ( 1 i n 3 2 )
0
21
21
(negative 1 in 96) and 3
Do. B (1 in 96)
1
0
1
(negative 1 in 8).
7 Wasserman's reaction
4
7
11
8 Blood for Malta fever
5
10
15
9 Blood for malarial parasites
27
169
196
10 Blood for increase of large mononuclears
0
0
12
Blood for leucocytosis
3
2
5
11 Blood for kala-azar
2
11
13
12 Blood for filaria
0
1
1
13 Sputum and pus smears for tubercle bacilli
15
58
73
14 Discharge for gonococci
17
13
30
15 Specimens for leprae bacilli
7
1
8
16 Cholera
Water
1
1
2
S t o o l s
2
0
2
17 Ur i n e f o r c h e mi c a l a n d mi c r o s c o p i c a l e x a mi n a t i o n .
0
0
67
18 Stools for ova and amoeba
4
9
13
19 Specimens for spirochaeta.
0
7
7
20 Mosquitoes
0
0
4
21 Diphtheria
2
11
1.3
22 Diplococci
3
0
3
2 3 Water samples for
bacteriological analy
sis.
0
0
529
chemical analysis
0
0
429
24 Miscellaneous
0
0
26
25 Unsuitable
62
Total
677
1,999
3,805
Plague. —A greater number of specimens derived from human beings were
submitted for examination and the percentage of cases showing plague bacilli was
about the same as last year, viz., one-third. Considerably fewer animal specimens
were sent, but the total of positive finds was greater. Me percentage showing
plague bacilli was 13·5 as against eight. In the case of both human and animal
plague specimens a much greater number showed putrefactive changes, and no
opinion could be given in these cases. It is important to remember that a very few
hours after death it may be impossible to demonstrate plague bacilli, as these delicate
organisms rapidly disappear with the advance of putrefaction. Even if specimens
cannot be sent at once, they should always be taken at the very earliest possible
moment.
Widal's test.—Rather fewer specimens were sent this year, and more than a half
gave completely negative results. This is in marked contrast to last year, when the
great majority gave some reaction and 35 per cent. gave a reaction at a dilution of
1—96. The percentage giving a strong reaction this year was just under 25. One
case giving a strong reaction with Paratyphoid B was sent. With this exception all
the specimens tested against Gærtner's bacillus, and. Paratyphoid A. and B gave
negative results. Fifteen cases for the Malta Fever test were sent, and five of these
gave positive reaction.
Wasserman reaction.—A beginning has been made with this test, but the results
are not very convincing. The process adopted was that recommended by Hecht and.
Fleming but arrangements are being made to carry out the tests as originally
described by Wasserman. The method giving the most consistent results will be
adopted.
Malaria.—Many fewer specimens were sent, but the percentage of positive cases
was much higher—nearly 14 per cent. as against 8 per cent. last year.
Tubercle.—The number of specimens submitted was somewhat larger and the
percentage of positive results was much greater: 20 per cent. as against 12 per cent.
last year.