8
Blood for Paratyphoid B .—There were 14 positive finds out of the 184 exami-
nations called for but 70 per cent of these were only in the lower dilution of I in
32 and most were accompanied by an as high or higher enteric reaction. The
practice of calling, as a matter of routine, for the triple test is to be deprecated.
Should fever persist and the enteric reaction remain negative, the reaction for the
paratyphoids might be taken. This of course only applies to the Madras Presi-
dency. Elsewhere the paratyphoid reactions may be more important.
Blood for the Wassermann Reaction .—The number of bloods sent rose by 50
per cent but a positive reaction was given by 49.6 per cent only as compared to 64
per cent last year. Probably knowledge of the test is becoming more widely
known and more doubtful cases and cases for verification of cure are being sent.
Blood for Malta Fever .—Six bloods were sent for this test and two gave a
positive reaction. It is some years since this disease has been detected in
Madras.
Blood films for malarial parasites .—Seven hundred and thirty-four were sent
which represent a rise of 101 per cent in the number but the percentage of posi
¬ t i v e f i n d s f e l l f r o m 2 1 . 6 t o 1 8 . 8 .
An examination for Leucocytosis is not called for very often but 66.6 per cent
of the films sent gave a positive result.
No cases of Kala-Azar or filariasis were detected from the specimens sent.
These were larger in number as were the specimens sent for differential count.
One case of oriental sore was diagnosed.
Blood in Taurocholate medium for the isolation of Typhoid bacilli .—Twice as
many bloods were sent as was the case last year but none were successful.
In examinations for tubercle bacilli the number of specimens sent rose by
23 per cent and the positive finds from 10.4 per cent to 16.8 per cent.
Discharges for gonococci .—The number of specimens sent increased by 128
per cent and the percentage of positive cases fell from 56 to 31 . 6, but there was
again some doubt involving a farther 22.8 per cent.
Examinations for Lepra, bacilli were practically doubled, but the positive
finds remained the same, involving a large decline in the percentage.
Cholera bacilli were isolated successfully 2 out of 4 times but out of 29 stools
examined for typhoid, not a single success was scored.
Spirochaetes in foetuses .— The number sent this year was nearly double the
figure of last year, showing an increase of 96 per cent. The percentage of cases
in which the organism was detected was the largest on record, viz., 30 per cent.
Smears for spirochaetes also showed a very large increase being nearly ten
times the number sent last year. The percentage of positive finds also rose from
nil to 20.7 per cent. This would appear to show that senders are beginning to
learn the proper way to make such films. In former years it was rare to get any
positive results at all.
Swabs for diphtheria.—In these there was a sharp drop of 35 per cent but in
spite of that, the positive finds were four times as numerous, the percentage of
positive finds having risen from 5 to 31.
Stools for dysentery amoebae, ova, etc. , were nearly trebled, showing an increase
of 187 per cent. Amoebae were found in 23 per cent and ova in 9.3 per cent of
these.
Rabies .—Two specimens were received and in both of them Negri bodies
were present.
Scrapings for spirochaetes (Tryponema pallidum).—This is not a suitable
preparation in which to look for the very delicate organism of syphilis, and the
only specimen sent failed to show any.
Miscellaneous articles included field dressings for sterility and determination
of the percentage of mercury present, disinfectants for the determination of the