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at pages 6 and 7 of his Report, where it is shown that vaccine which has been
issued to vaccinators and therefore had passed through all the exigencies of
exposure to tropical heat during transport in rural posts, gave successful results
from 164 to 383 days in the hands of the staff, although the vaccine after receipt
had been kept at room temperature in Madras (Guindy) up to date of the experiment.
In judging results, it is worth remembering that although dealing with a tropical
climate the Institute makes its issue of vaccine only once a fortnight to the vacci-
nators, whilst, in the temperate climate of England, the Local Government Board
think so little of the power of glycerine to preserve vaccine at ordinary temperature,
that it demands that every tube not used by public vaccinators within seven
days of its issue shall be returned by them. In connection with the efficacy of
lanoline in withstanding the influence of a tropical climate, I may state that Colonel
Benson, I.M.S., has informed me of the successful production of five vesicles on a
human being and one vesicle in a calf, with a specimen that had been made in the
Mysore Government Institute as far back as 1901. As soon as vaccinators hare
been properly trained therefore and discipline in districts as to use of the vaccine is
enforced, I see no reason to doubt that the rate of success as well as the financial
cost will show improvement. This is sufficiently shown by Captain Elwes's para-
graph 13, which proves that the rate has differed with districts or, in other words,
with the experience of use of lanoline vaccine. That this is an important factor,
I showed clearly in my experimental issue in 1890-1891 when the total rate of
success rose right through the hot weather from 92.96 per cent. in the first
Quarter to 93.96 in the second and 96.04 in the third.
7. The question of elimination of " extraneous organisms " has not been lost
sight of, although I am by no means disposed to regard the subject with the
extravagant zeal exhibited by certain European authorities. It has been shown
by Dr. Srinivasa Rao, Bacteriologist to the Mysore Government, that lanoline has
a distinct inimical influence upon such organisms, although this has been contested
by other bacteriologists. But the whole subject, as stated by the Superintendent,
in his paragraph 13, will be thoroughly threshed out. Certainly, the principles
adopted in the Institute of attempting in all matters high bacterial cleanliness seems
to me what should be the leading feature both in the cultivation and preservation of
vaccine. In this connection, I may point to a simple experiment conducted by
Lieutenant Christophers at my request as to results of using a loopful of sterile
water and glycerine mixture (the usual 50 per cent. employed for preservation)
on the arm in six mock vaccination operations. Full precautions were taken as to
preliminary cleansing of the arm. Yet, from the small portions recovered in each
case there were grown from 32 colonies to 21,300 colonies of microbes. When it is
remembered that in the elimination of " extraneous organisms " it is not anticipated
that the spore-bearing will be destroyed, the whole process seems me to require
considerably less enthusiasm and better elucidation of its actual merits. In this
connection, I may state that the Institute offered each district the choice of
glycerine or lanoline and that, without exception, they chose lanoline. There is
however no intention of limiting the production to any form. Local authorities
are at liberty to obtain their vaccine preserved by any recognized method.
8. The matter of better organization of the Vaccination Department which I
hoped would have been decided by this time is still under consideration by
Government—doubtless in reference to representations as to details by local
authorities.
9. In regard to the working of the Bacteriological Section of the Institute, I
think it unnecessary to add anything to that written by Lieutenant Christophers.
Considering the short time this Section has been in working order, the results
secured reflect upon him the highest credit. Not only has he effected advance in
general scientific research, but he has made this Section of vast utility to Medical
officers throughout the Presidency in aiding correct diagnosis and consequent-
treatment of their patients, as well as affording material help to Public Health
administration. There exists a vast field for scientific research in this Section.
the fruits of which would tend to alleviate human suffering in the near future,
and I trust that, as time advances, Government will see its way to increasing the
permanent scientific staff at disposal.
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