NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
10
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE HARCOURT BUTLER
Incidences of rat fall are usually recorded before a plague epidemic
starts among human beings. But a crocidura fall has never been
recorded in spite of these animals having a high cheopis index. The
following investigation was carried out in this laboratory to find the
resistance of this animal to Pr. pestis infection.
SHORT DESCRIPTION.—This animal is not a rodent though it has
been so styled in many publications. These mamals belong to the
family Soricidae which belong to the order Insectivora. The follow-
-ing is a short description of their morphological characteristics. The
head is long with a very pointed snout which projects .considerably
beyond the lower lip. The earconch somewhat resembles the human
ear in shape. The molars have well developed “ W ”shaped cusps.
The eyes are small and are nearer to the orifice of the ear than to the
end of the snout. C. Coerulea is covered-with a very soft fur.. On
each side of the body there is a gland whose secretion has a strong
smell of musk. The genito-urinary and anal orifices both open into a
shallow cloaca. The sexes are often difficult to distinguish if the
mammae are not developed, the male organ being retractile and the
testes internal: A full grown male measures about 6 inches from nose
to vent, females are generally smaller than males.
HABITS.—They are always found near human habitations. They
are nocturnal in their habit and frequent houses at night hunting for
cockroaches and other insects, uttering at times a sharp squeaking cry.
An effort was first made to find out the cheopis index in these
Crociduras. The result is shown in the table below :—
Period.
No. of
crocidura
coerulea.
No. of
fleas.
No. of
X. cheopis.
No. of
X. astia.
6th July 1936 to 9th September
1936.
962
671
or index
0. 69
596
or index
0. 61
75
or index.
0.08
The above table shows the predominance of cheopis infestation in
these animals, though the cheopis index is much lower than that which
was found in Mandalay which place is noted for its incidence of plague.
However, it is intended to repeat the experiment at different seasons of
the year as it is a well known fact that the flea index varies according to
the weather conditions.
RESISTANCE OF C. COERULEA AGAINST PR. PESTIS.—C. Coerulea
trapped in the Port area and Municipal area were sent to this Institute.
They were all defleaed and kept in captivity. At the beginning some
difficulty was experienced to keep C. Coeruleas alive in captivity owing
to the fact that these are exclusively carnivorous creatures and prefer
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RANGOON, FOR THE YEAR 1936.
11
to live in complete darkness. Crocidura fed on rice or bread and kept
in an ordinary lighted room died in a few days. This difficulty was,
however, overcome by feeding them with meat and keeping the cage in
a dark room.
The experiment was carried out only after the C. Coerulea had been
kept alive under observation for at least a week and the indigenous
house rat (M. Concolor) was used as a control. In all, nine
C. Coeruleas were used. The technique adopted was as
f o l l o w s : —
After keeping them under observation for seven days, they were
injected with one c.c. of a 48 hours broth culture of Pr. pestis. All
the nine control rats died within a period of four days. All the
C. coerulea remained healthy for several weeks except one which died
on the 9th day. The latter had an abscess at the site of injection.
The above experiment indicates that C. Coerulea has some degree
of natural immunity against the plague baccilus. The next point that
has got to be considered is what role if any do these animals play in
the propagation of plague among human beings. Hirst in the year
1926-27 urged the preservation of these animals as they are enemies of
rats but the very fact that they appear to be immune to plague infection
weighs against Hirst's suggestion as they may play a part in acting as a
reservoir of plague infected fleas. Being a semi-domesticated animal,
they stand a good chance to come in contact with house rats
(M. Concolor) and should a fight ensue, a plague infected flea that
might have been harboured on the Crocidura may infest the Concolor
which could result in an epizootic among rats (rat fall).
It is intended to prosecute further, this interesting and possibly
important enquiry.
III. Effect of Sulphur Fumigation on Vermin.
The following experiment was done in this Institute to observe
the effect of sulphur fumigation on rats and vermin:
—
Animals and insects used.
1.Rats.
4. Cockroaches.
2.Lizards.
5. Bed bugs.
3. Flies.
6. Rat fleas.
The experiment was carried out on 24th July 1936 in the Plague
Laboratory which has a capacity of 5,302½ cubic feet. Every precau--
tion was taken to make the room perfectly air-tight. A total amount of
25 lbs. of sulphur was burnt. The floor of the room was sprinkled with
an adequate quantity of water and in addition several trays containing
water (totalling about 7 gallons) were placed on the floor as well as on
the working tables. Sulphur was ignited at 3 p.m. Samples of gas were
taken out and tested with the help of Clayton's gas-testing apparatus at
4 p.m. and 5 p.m. the concentration of SO 2 being 2 per cent and 2½ per
cent respectively. At 5 p.m. nothing was visible. inside the room. The
12
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE HARCOURT BUTLER
final test for the concentration of SO2 was done the following morning
at 10-30 a.m., the result being 0.5 per cent. The inside of the room in
the morning appeared to be quite clear, no trace of smoke being visible.
The room was opened at 10-40 a.m. It took about 45 minutes before
one could get inside the room to examine thoroughly the result of
fumigation. All the animals and insects were found dead. The effect
of sulphur fumigation on rat fleas deserves special attention. On
combing the dead rats, dead fleas were recovered from every one of
them. This indicates that the fleas died either before the death of the
rats or that both the rats and their fleas died at the same time. If the
fleas had remained alive for any length of time after the death of the
rats they would have certainly left the carcases.
Other changes that were noticed after the experiment were as
follows:—
(1) The white washed walls of the room changed to yellow.
(2) The parquet flooring, which was nicely polished did not show
any trace of wax polish.
(3) A cake of carbolic soap that had been left in the room had a
spongy appearance.
(4) Exposed yellow papers such as are used in the office took on a
mauve colour while yellow grease pencil marks were bleached into
white.
IV. The Viability of B. Schafferi in natural water collections and its
resistance to sunlight.
This experiment was carried out on the same lines as was done with
B. 98 last year (vide 1935 report). Clemesha grouped it under Class
I Organism. In other words, according to him, B. Schafferi does not
remain alive for a long time in natural collections of water when
exposed to sunlight. Hence the presence of this organism in water
samples indicates recent faecal pollution of their sources. Morpholo
-
gically and culturally the organism resembles B. Coli Communis except
that it is non-motile.
—
L a c t o s e .
S a c c h a r o s e .
D u l c i t e .
A d o n i t e .
I n d o l .
M o t i l i t y .
V . P .
C i t r a t e .
M . R .
B. Schafferi . . .
AG
-
AG
-
+
-
-
-
+
B. Coli Communis
AG
-
AG
-
+
+
-
-
+
Efforts were made to find out the serological identity of these two
organisms; this has not yet been settled. This organism was isolated
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RANGOON, FOR THE YEAR 1936. 13
19 times in the 367 samples of water bacteriologically examined, and
in the majority of cases there was some indication of pollution of the
water source with alvine discharges of either human beings or cattle or
wild animals. Whether this organism is present in bird droppings has
still got to be proved. The presence of B. Schafferi in a certain water
sample to which birds only had access, strongly suggests the likelihood
of this organism being present in bird droppings. Experiments were
carried out on two different lines to find the resistance of this organisms
to sunlight.
EXPERIMENT I.—Two sets of flasks, one containing sterilised
distilled water and another containing sterilised pond water were
inoculated with saline emulsion of 24 hours agar culture of B. Schafferi.
The mouths of the flasks were covered with pieces of gauze and the
flasks were exposed to sunlight for a fortnight. The samples of water
were then tested and B. Schafferi was not recovered. The test was
repeated after an interval of another fortnight and the same negative
result obtained.
EXPERIMENT II.—A second experiment was repeated in one of the
fish breeding chambers of this Institute. The samples of water from
the chamber were first tested to determine the nature of the lactose
fermentors that were already present there. After ascertaining that
B. Schafferi was not present in the chamber, 100 c.c. of saline emul--
sion of B. Schafferi, each c.c. containing approximately 10,000 million
organisms were introduced into the chamber on the 20th May 1936. It
must be noted that during the course of this experiment, there was rain
almost every day with very little sunlight. After an interval of a week
the sample of water was tested and B. Schafferi was recovered.
The test was repeated on 14th July 1936 and 29th July 1936. On
neither of these occasions was B. Schafferi isolated. The above
experiments corroborate the findings of Clemesha.
V. To find out the efficacy of a proprietary product as a rat destructor.
On 29th April 1936, the Port Health Officer, Rangoon, brought a
bottle of Liverpool Virus (a proprietary product) and asked us to find
out its efficacy as a rat destructor. An experiment was carried out on
the same lines as has been described in last year's report with the
exception that the food for the rats under this experiment was placed
on the floor of the cage instead of in a receptacle. The idea of doing
this was to give an enhanced chance of starting an epizootic through
the contamination of the food by the faeces of infected rats. As in
last year, this year's experiment also failed to produce an epizootic
among the experimental rats. Two sets of experiments were carried
out.
EXPERIMENT No. 1.—Two Mus. Concolor were fed with food mixed
with the liquid supposed to contain Liverpool Virus. They were then
14 REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE HARCOURT BUTLER
allowed to associate with 6 other healthy rats. Out of the 2 fed
rats 1 died after an interval of 7 days and the other 16. days from
the date of feeding. Out of the 6 healthy rats 2 rats died after an
interval of 9 days and 1 died after 14 days. The remaining 3 rats did
not show any sign of illness and were destroyed after about 4 weeks.
EXPERIMENT No. II.—Liverpool Virus was isolated in pure culture
from the proprietary product and was used for feeding. In this
experiment 4 Mus. Concolor after being fed with food mixed with saline
emulsion of isolated culture of Liverpool Virus, were allowed to
associate with 12 healthy rats. The fed rats died after a period of
6, 9, 15 and 39 days respectively from the date of feeding. Of the
contact rats, 4 died after a period of 3, 5, 12 and 16 days respectively
from the date of their coming in contact with the fed rats, while 2
contact rats died on the 23rd day. The remaining rats did not show
any sign of illness and were destroyed.
An interesting fact was that Liverpool Virus could not be isolated
from the carcases of the rats, but instead B. Morgani was isolated
from every case tested.
VI. An investigation on an outbreak of Beri-Beri among the crew of
S.S. "Aungba
n".
The Bacteriologist of the institute was called out to investigate into
the cause of an outbreak of deficiency disease occurring among the
crew of an oil tanker S.S, "Aungban". A detailed report of this
investigation has already been submitted, vide Endorsement No.
5523—7P.-1, dated the 24th November 1936.
This investigation brought out the fact that a population whose diet
has been deficient in a qualitative manner may show no frank sign of
disease under normal circumstances of life but, as soon as any extra
demand is made on the body, the deficiency disease becomes clinically
recognisable. The fact that there is a wide gulf between perfect health
and the condition when obvious signs of deficiency disease appear was
stressed by Sir John Boyd Orr in his address to the Blackpool meeting
of the British Association.
VII. Feeding experiment done with rice supposed to be the cause of
epidemic dropsy among 1/20th Burma Rifles at Mingaladon.
No definite conclusion could be derived from these experiments as
both the groups of experimental pigeons fed on suspected rice and
healthy rice, showed signs of vitamin B. deficiency. The only
difference was that the pigeons fed on suspected rice alone showed
the signs earlier than those fed with healthy rice only. Details of
these experiments have already been submitted, vide Public Health
Department Memorandum No. 5386, dated the 16th November
1936.
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RANGOON, FOR THE YEAR 1936. 15
VIII. Investigation on an outbreak of an epidemic associated with high
mortality at Udo Village (Taikkyi Township).
On receipt of information about an epidemic at Udo Village, the
Assistant Bacteriologist was sent away to investigate the matter. On
his arrival at the village he could not find any body suffering from the
disease complained of. However, evidence was collected which
pointed to the fact that the patients who had already suffered from
this alimentary disturbances had been in fact attacked with cholera.
Nine cases of death within a period of 8 days had occurred and the
cause of death had been recorded as death due to fever. On being
aware of these facts the Assistant Bacteriologist inoculated 509 people
with prophylactic cholera vaccine. No further attack was reported
after this incidence.
Report of the Malariologist, Dr. U Tin, D.T.M., on the
Malaria Bureau for the year 1936.
22. The Malaria Bureau records with deep regret the death of
Lieutenant E.S. Feegrade, I.M.D., the Malariologist in November 1936.
23.
ROUTINE WORK.—During the year under report the following
routine work was carried out:—
(i) Instruction.—(a) From 11th August to 31st December instruc--
tion in Medical Entomology was given to students of the
Public Health Inspectors' Training Class.
(b) A short course of instruction in Anti-malaria measures was
given to the Public Health Inspectors of Maymyo and
D a n u b y u .
(c) Demonstrations were given to the students of the Health
Visitors' Training Class, Burma Government School, and the
Medical College, Rangoon University.
(ii) Identification of Anopheline Fauna.— Specimens of larvae and
imagines were received from many districts in the province. They
were identified and a report submitted to the sender. Two thousand
four hundred and eight larvae and five hundred and ten imagines were
thus identified. No new species were recorded except the refinding
in Kyaukpyu of A. Aconitus after being absent for 10 years.
(iii) Spleen Census.—Spleen census reports were received from 37
towns and 378 villages in 30 districts of the Province. During the
year the districts of Thayetmyo, Henzada and Chin Hills were noted
to be specially malarious.
(iv) Blood Examinations.—One hundred and thirty-two blood
smears were examined during the year.
The officers and men of the Norwegian
Motorship "Secundo" who were attacked with fever, while in Rangoo port, were
examined for malarial parasites. As the last port of call of this ship was on the
2
16
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE HARCOURT BUTLER
African Coast, it was thought that the ship's crew were suffering from
malaria. The blood examinations, however, were found to be negative.
Other blood smears were mostly from Hanthawaddy and Insein
Districts and the Southern Shan States.
(v) Scrutiny of Weekly Reports . —These were received from Kyaukpyu,
Lashio and Maymyo, where systematic anti-malaria measures are being
carried out.
Lashio .—In this town anti-malaria control has been practised since
1929. Steady progress is maintained in decreasing the number of
breeding places by subsoil drainage. The spleen rate which stood at
47 per cent in 1926 has now been reduced to 33 per cent in 1936 in the
controlled area.
Maymyo. —Mosquito control work continues to be vigorously
carried out and judging by the results is meeting with a fair
measure of success. The two carrier mosquitoes still in evidence
during the year are—A. Minimus and A. Annularis, but their numbers
are greatly reduced.
The breeding places of A. Culicifacies are being steadily eliminated
and during the year very few of these mosquitoes were encountered.
Kyaukpyu. —Effective control is being maintained in this town.
Mosquito breeding swamps are being gradually reclaimed by sea sand.
The ground in some of these reclaimed areas has, however, shown a
tendency to sink and form depressions. During the rains in these
depressions water collects and A. Sundaicus, a salt water breeder, is
found. The reason is that the water becomes brackish due to the sea
sand and makes a favourable breeding ground for this mosquito. This
defect has been to some extent rectified by refilling and oiling while
the filling is in progress.
24. SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS.—(1) An investigation into the cause
of unusual sickness in Myaukchaung and Taungchaung Villages of
Kawhmu Village-tract, Kungyangôn Township, Hanthawaddy District,
was carried out in January. The cause of sickness was found to be
malaria.
(2) A preliminary mosquito survey of the Port of Rangoon was
carried out with the help of the students of the Public Health
Inspectors' Class from 21st August to 8th September. The survey
revealed the presence of the same mosquitoes as were found during the
Mosquito Survey of Rangoon City. A most interesting finding is the
breeding of Aedes Aegypti in the cargo lighters on Rangoon river.
These craft number many thousands and to control them and prevent
mosquito breeding is a difficult problem.
In view of the danger of importation of yellow fever through the
acceleration of air traffic to Rangoon the question of mosquito control
in the port area has become an important subject requiring serious
consideration.
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RANGOON, FOR THE YEAR 1936.
(3) A survey was carried out at the Pegu Yomah Water-Works
construction Camp, Gyobyu, Taikkyi, for the Corporation of Rangoon,
with a view to formulate control measures suitable to the existing local
conditions. The result of the survey with recommendations, was
embodied in a report, which was duly submitted to the Director of
Public Health, Burma, for disposal.
(4) A survey was also carried out to find out the suitability of the
site for the proposed Tuberculosis Sanatorium near Kalaw, Southern
Shan States. The site was found to be malarious and unsuitable for
housing tubercular patients.
(5) A malaria survey of Sandoway town was carried out from
21st June to 10th November 1936. The survey was started by the late
Lieutenant E. S. Feegrade, I.M.D., Malariologist, and was concluded by
Dr. U Tin, on account of Dr. Feegrade falling sick.
The survey revealed that malaria exists in low endemic form in the
centre of town and in high endemic form towards the periphery.
The anopheline mosquitoes found to be concerned in the trans
-mission of malaria were A. Culicifacies, A. Maculatus and A. Minimus.
A detailed survey report is now in the press.
25. EXPERIMENT.—Pyrocide No. 20, a standardized concentrated
extract of pyrethrum flowers, was investigated for its insecticidal
properties. The concentrated extract was mixed with refined kerosene
in the proportion of 1 in 19. The insecticide was found to give
excellent results.
26. FISH BREEDING.—During the year under report a large gambusia
atchery was built in the compound of the Harcourt Butler Institute of
Public Health, Rangoon. This hatchery was designed with a view to
obtain a maximum number of young fish in a confined area. It was
used with effect from 20th December 1936. It is anticipated that at
least 3,000 fish will be available for distribution monthly.
The table below shows the number of gambusia distributed :—
Insein and Hanthawaddy Districts . . .
2 , 7 8 0
R an g oon . . .
7 5 0
Tavoy . . .
400
Sandoway . . .
100
Maymyo . . .
600
Pyapôn District . . .
6 0 0
Lashio, Northern Shan States . . .
200
Total . . .
5,430
In August a circular was sent to all districts where fish had been
introduced, to submit a statement of their progress. Statements from
25 places were received. The reports were very satisfactory.
A scheme for establishing subsidiary hatcheries in the malarious
districts of Burma is under consideration and it is hoped that 12 such
hatcheries will be established during the year.
18
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE HARCOURT BUTLËR
27. MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES.—The Malaria Bureau undertook a
large amount of Red Cross work. The posters and models on health
subjects seen in the yearly Health Exhibition are executed in the
Bureau.
Report of the Assistant Chemist Mr. G. C. Moitra,
B.Sc., F.C.S., on the Chemical Section for the year
1936.
28. EXAMINATIONS.—A total of 816 samples comprising 331 samples
of water, 29 samples of sewage effluents and 456 samples of
miscellaneous foods and drugs were examined during the year under
report.
The number of water samples received for examination from
different sources is shown in the following table. Forty-nine samples
of water from new tube wells were examined for the issue of permanent
license under the Burma Underground Water Act.
Source.
Number
examined.
Public Health Department . . .
6
Public Works Department . . .
—
7
Public Works Department (under
B.U.W.A.) . . .
49
Municipalities . . .
102
District Health Officers . . .
45
Town Committees . . .
10
Hospitals . . .
1
Jails . . .
58
Civil Surgeons . . .
6
Rangoon Port Trust . . .
11
Burma Railways . . .
2
Others . . .
34
Total . . .
331
All the 29 samples of sewage effluents were received from the
Public Works Department.
The samples of miscellaneous foods and drugs were mainly received
from the Port Health Department.
A detailed statement of the 456 samples of miscellaneous foods and
drugs examined is appended.
29. ROUTINE ANALYSIS— Ghee . —Out of 10 samples of ghee found
adulterated or otherwise unsatisfactory, 9 were received from the Port
Health Officer, Rangoon, and 1 from Dr. K. T. Jungalwalla, Assistant
Director of Public Health, Burma. The ghee received from Dr.
Jungalwalla, although genuine, was found to be extremely rancid and
was unsatisfactory in this respect. Of the 9 samples received from the