6
Seventeen out of 182 examinations for Paratyphoid B showed a positive
result in the lower dilution. Neither gave a reaction at 1 in 96 or gave any reaction
unless a reaction with typhoid germs was also present.
As was the case last year, no cases of Malta Fever were diagnosed.
The Wassermann's Reaction.— There was a fall, amounting to about 6½ per
cent, in the number of specimens sent for this examination, but the percentage
of positive finds was much higher, reaching the high figure of 64 per cent. It
must also be remembered that the 36 per cent of negative results do not all
represent a wrong suspicion on the part of the sender or a failure of the method.
Many specimens are sent from cases known to have had of syphilis to see if a
given line of treatment has eradicated the disease. Should such have been the
case, the Wassermann reaction will of course prove to be negative.
Malarial p rasites.—There is a slight rise in the number of specimens sent
and a marked one in the percentage of positive finds, the latter amounting to 21.6
per cent as compared to 12.9 per cent last year.
No cases of Kala-Azar or Filariasis were detected.
Leucocytosis.— The number of specimens for this examination fell almost to
the vanishing point and only 20 per cent gave a positive result.
Sputum and pus for tubercle.— The number remained much the same, but
bacilli were detected in only 10.4 per cent of the cases as against 20.4 per cent
last year.
Specimens for lepra bacilli.— Six were sent and the characteristic bacilli were
found in two, a percentage of 33.3.
Discharges for gonococci.— More than half of these or 56 per cent gave posi
-tive results and there was some doubt about a farther 28 per cent.
Typhoid bacilli were successfully recovered from the blood in two out of
six specimens submitted, 33.3 per cent, but in one only, or little over two per cent,
from 48 specimens of fæces and urine. This latter examination is a thankless
task and has to be repeated so frequently that it would be impossible to carry it
out in anything but a small fraction of the cases.
Diphtheria.—There was a pleasingly marked fall in the number of specimens
submitted, as also in the number of positive finds. These fell from 34 to 20 and
from nearly 38 per cent to 5 per cent. The latter figure ought, however, to be
10 per cent as one specimen, though from an undoubted case of diphtheria,
which proved fatal, was so badly taken as to show no cellular elements or even to
yield any bacilli on culture. It should always be borne in mind that the habitat
of the diphtheria bacillus is under the membrane, and that a piece of the latter
should be removed and the swabbing taken from the exposed mucous membrane
or from the under surface of the membrane.
Spirochœta Pallida is difficult to demonstrate microscopically except in
very well made specimens. It could not be seen in any of the specimens submitted
most probably because these had not been properly prepared. It was demonstrated
in 20 per cent of macerated fætuses from the Government Maternity Hospital a
proportion somewhat lower than in past years. Detailed results are shown in
Table IV.
TABLE IV.
N u m b e r .
Date of
despatch.
Number
of
preg-
nancy.
History of former
pregnancies.
Notes of
fætus.
Remarks.
Result of
examination.
1
1915.
Second. Natural . . . Macerated . . .
. . .
No spirochætes could
be found.
28th Oct. . . .
2
4th Nov. . . . First . . .
. . .
Do. . . .
. . .
Do.
3
1st Dec. . . . Sixth . . . Five premature labours;
three in the seventh
month, one in the eighth
month and one in the
sixth month. All still-
born.
Do. . . .
. . .
Do.