6
Specimens (foetuses, etc.) for spirochaetes .— Sixty-one specimens were sent
which is 30 per cent more than last year but the number of positive results wa
s o n l y 1 2 g i v i n g t h e l o w p e r c e n t a g e o f 1 9 . 6 .
Smears for spirochaetes .—Here again there was a large increase in the number
sent, 61 as against 29 last year, an increase of 110 per cent. The ratio of positive
results was also greater 1.5 or 24.6 per cent showing the presence of Tryponema
pallidum, and 3, or 4.9 per cent showing the presence of Spirochaeta refringens.
Swabs for diphtheria showed a very large increase being nearly six times as
numerous as last year. Twelve specimens or 16.2 per cent of the specimens sent
showed the presence of the Klebs-Loeffler bacillus.
Sputa for pneumococcus .—Fourteen specimens were sent as against 6 last
year, and from 10, or the large percentage of 71, the pneumococcus was isolated.
Sputa for bacillus of infuenza. —This item did not appear in last year's list but
the prevailing epidemics resulted in 306 specimens being sent, in 205 or very
nearly 67 per cent of which Pfeiffers bacillus was detected.
Stools for dysentery, amoebae, ova, etc .—Here again there was a very larg
e i n c r e a s e t h e f i g u r e s r i s i n g f r o m 4 3 t o 7 5 . T h e p e r c e n t a g e o f p o s i t i v e f i n d s w a s
only 20 as against 32.3 per cent last year.
Smears for Negri bodies.—Again two specimens were received but only one
showed Negri bodies.
Urine for micro-organismal infection.—Six specimens were sent of which two
showed the presence of infection.
Cultures from a case of gangrene.—The only one submitted showed the
presence of Vibrion Septique. Fortunately this very serious malady seems to be
rare.
Dressings, etc., for sterility .—Sixteen specimens were sent of which three,
including one specimen of catgut, were found to be not sterile.
Water for cholera-like vibrios.—Twenty–eight specimens were sent and, in
three of these, cholera-like vibrios were seen.
Miscellaneous articles showed considerable variety and included road dust,
sand from filters, bleaching powder, etc.
The examination of Lanoline and Glycerine for acidity work is carried out in
the Bacteriological section for the Vaccine section. It is very important as the
least trace of acidity would be very detrimental to the vaccine.
Table VI gives in detail the result of the examination of 59 macerated
foetuses:—
TABLE VI.
N u m b e r .
Date of
despatch.
Number
of
preg
-nancy.
History of former
pregnancies.
Notes of
foetus.
Remarks.
Result of
examination.
1917.
1 29th Sep. ...
?
Not furnished ..
... Macerated,.. Nil
...
...
Spirochaetes present
(scanty).
2 9th Oct. ...
?
D o .
. . .
. . ,
Do. ... Nil
...
...
No
spirochaetes
found.
3 11th „
?
D o .
. . .
. . , Do. ... Nil
...
...
Spirochaetes present.
4 5th Nov. ...
?
Do.
...
...
Do. .., Nil
...
...
No
spirochaetes.
found.
5 6th
„
?
D o .
. . .
. . , Do. . . , Nil
...
...
Do.
6 14th
„ . . .
?
Do. . . .
. . . Do. _ Nil
...
...
Do.
7 20th
„ . . .
?
Do.
...
...
Do. ... Nil
...
...
Do.
8 1st Dec. . . .
?
Do.
...
...
Do.
. . . Nil
...
...
Do.
9 14th
„
1918.
?
Do.
D o .
Nil
...
...
Do..
10 2nd Jan. ...
?
Do. . . .
. . . Do. . . .
N i l
. . .
. . .
Do.
11 2nd
„ . . .
?
Do. . . .
. .
.
Macerated
(liver of a
baby who had a huge enlargement of
liver and spleen and died soon after
birth).
Nil
...
...
Do.