NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
8
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE HARCOURT BUTLER
(iii) The experiment on Atebrin prophylaxis which was started in
1937 was concluded in the month of July 1938. A separate report
has been submitted with this office letter No. 4701/15P., dated the 27th
September 1938.
(iv) An investigation regarding the incidence of malaria in the
Myitkyina Cantonment area was carried out by the Malariologist during
the month of August, when he accompanied the Director of Public
Health, and the Superintending Engineer, Public Health Circle, to
that place.
(v) A. annandalei var. interruplus Puri 1929, was discovered for the
first time in Burma, during the year under report. A. leucosphyrus
on being dissected, was found infected with malaria parasites for the
first time in Burma.
(vi) A motile Gram-positive coccus was discovered in course of a
routine examination of a shaving brush, and its cultural and biochemical
characteristics were studied.
(vii) A large number of Culicine mosquitoes of the species,
(A) Mansonia (Mansonoides) uniformis, and (B) Mansonia (Coquillelidia)
crassipcs, found breeding in the "U" shaped pond in the compound
of the Institute, were examined and many of the former were found
to have been parasitized by mites which were identified as larval forms
of some Hydrachnid by the Government Entomologist of the Malaria
Institute of India.
(viii)
On many occasions, inoculated plates kept outside incubators
were found infested with larvæ of insects. Apiochæta scalaris were
bred out from these larvæ, and opinion of the Entomologist of the
Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine was sought with regard to their
prevention.
(ix) Extensive investigations regarding the food values of the
indigenous food stuffs was taken in hand during the year and is being
continued. They are being analysed for proteins, carbohydrates, fat,
moisture, mineral matter, calcium, phosphorus, iron and calorific value.
MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES— Research Workers' Conference. —The
Director of this Institute attended the 16th Conference of Research
Workers, held at New Delhi, from 11th to 17th December.
Lecture.—A lecture on "Role of a Public Health Laboratory" was
delivered by the Director at a Meeting of the Rotary Club of Rangoon
on the 8th March 1938.
Tuberculosis survey .—During the latter part of the year, the staff of
the bacteriological section rendered assistance in various forms of
laboratory work to Professor S. Lyle Cummins, who was undertaking a
tuberculosis survey of the province.
Public Health Propaganda. —As in previous years, the preparation of
exhibits for the technical sections of the Annual Health Exhibition and
the demonstrations were undertaken by the staff of this Institute.
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RANGOON, FOR THE YEAR 1938.
9
Exhibits and Posters.—Various articles of exhibit of the Red Cross
Society were also prepared and stored here. These were sent out on
12 occasions during the year to the following places :—
(1) Shwebo and Mônywa.
(7) Pe-gyat (Myingyan District).
(2) Pyu.
(8) Henzada.
(3) Pyawbwe.
(9) Pegu.
(4) Bassein.
(10) Nyaungbintha (Toungoo District).
(5) Natsingone (Hanthawaddy District). (11) Tatkon (Yamèthin District).
(6) Maubin.
(12) Powuntaung Pagoda (Mônywa District).
K. P. KUNDU,
M.B. (Cal.), D. Bact. (Lond.),
Director, Harcourt Butler Institute of
RANGOON the 4th May 1939.
Public Health.
Detailed Statement of the various Foods and Drugs examined during the
year ending 31st December 1938.
No.
Description of Samples.
Number
examined.
Number
adulterated
or otherwise
unsatis-
factory.
Percentage
of
adulteration.
1 Atta
...
...
...
5
...
. . .
2 Broth
...
...
...
3
...
. . .
3 Cinchona febrifuge tablets
...
23
. . .
. . .
4 Dhall
...
...
...
9
...
. . .
5 Disinfectants
...
...
3
. . .
...
6 Flour, corn
1
. . .
...
7 Flour, rice
...
...
1
. . .
. . .
8 Flour, wheat
...
1 6
...
. . .
9 Formalin
...
...
1
. . .
. . .
10 Ghee
...
...
120
13
10.8
11 Lard
...
...
...
1
. . .
. . .
12 Milk, breast
...
...
3
. . .
. . .
13 Milk, fresh
...
...
137
120
87.6
14 Milk, for prservation experiment
1
...
. . .
15 Oil, cocoanut
...
...
2
...
. . .
16 Oil, groundnut
...
...
1
...
...
17 Oil, mustard
14
8
57.1
18 Rice
...
...
...
131
91
69.5
19 Rice (for nutrition Survey)
...
19
. . .
...
20 Rice bran
...
...
48
...
...
21 Salt
...
...
...
2
...
22 Starch, maize
...
...
1
. . .
. . .
23 Stools
...
...
...
2
. . .
...
24 Sulphur
...
...
...
1
. . .
. . .
25
Tea
...
...
1
...
...
26
Urine
...
...
...
1
...
...
27
Water deposit
...
...
1
...
...
28 Water deposit (floating)
...
1
. . .
...
Total
...
549
232
...
G.B.C.P.O.—No. 18, D.P.H., 17-7-39—160.
IP|16|PI.5
REPORT
ON THE WORKING OF THE
HARCOURT BUTLER INSTITUTE OF
PUBLIC HEALTH, RANGOON
FOR THE YEAR 1939
RANGOON
SUPDT., GOVT. PRINTING AND STATIONERY, BURMA
1941
Price,—As. 4 = 5d.]
REPORT
ON THE WORKING OF THE
HARCOURT BUTLER INSTITUTE OF
PUBLIC HEALTH, RANGOON
FOR THE YEAR 1939
RANGOON
SUPDT., GOVT. PRINTING AND STATIONERY, BURMA
1941
LIST OF AGENTS FOR THE SALE OF
GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS.
IN BURMA
AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSION PRESS, Rangoon.
BRITISH BURMA PRESS BRANCH, Rangoon.
BURMA BOOK CLUB, LTD., Post Box No. 1068, Rangoon.
CITY BOOK CLUB, No. 98 Phayre Street, Rangoon.
CONTINENTAL TRADING CO., No. 363 Lower Main Road, Moulmein.
MAUNG LU GALE, Law Book Depôt, No. 42 Ayo-o-gale Mandalay.
MESSRS. K. BIN HOON & SONS, Nyaunglebin.
NEW LIGHT OF BURMA PRESS No. 61 Sule Pagoda Road, Rangoon.
PROPRIETOR, THU DHAMA WADI PRESS, No 16—80 Maung Khine Street,
Rangoon.
RANGOON TIMES PRESS, Rangoon.
IN INDIA.
BOOK CO., LTD., No. 4/4A College Square, Calcutta.
BUTTERWORTH & CO. (INDIA), LTD., Phonix Building, Graham Road
, Ballard Estate, Bombay.
CITY BOOK CO., Post Box No. 283, Madras.
D. B. TARAPOREVALA, SONS & CO., Bombay.
HIGGINBOTHAM & Co., Madras.
MR. RAM NARAIN LAL, Proprietor, National Press, Katra, Allahabad
.
S. K. LAHIRI & Co., No. 56 College Street, Calcutta.
THACKER, SPINK & CO. (1933), LTD., No. 3. Esplanade East, Calcutta
THACKER & CO., LTD., Bombay.
W. NEWMAN & Co., Calcutta.
IN EUROPE AND AMERICA.
The publications are obtainable either direct from THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
FOR INDIA. Public Department. India House, Aldwych, London, W.C. 2
or through any bookseller.
RESOLUTION
ON THE
Report on the Working of the Harcourt Butler
Institute of Public Health, Rangoon
For the Year 1939.
Extract from the Proceedings of the Government of Burma, Department of Health
and Public Works,—No. 361SJ40, dated the 6th July 1940.
READ—
The Report on the Working of the Harcourt Butler Institute of Public
Health, Rangoon, for the year 1939.
RESOLVED THAT—
The Report be published.
By order,
SHWE BAW,
Secretary to the Govt. of Burma
Dept. of Health and Public Works,
REPORT
ON THE WORKING OF THE
Harcourt Butler Institute of Public Health,
Rangoon
For the Year 1939.
STAFF OF THE INSTITUTE—Director.—Mr. K. P. Kundu, M.B. (Cal.),
D. Bact. (Load.).
Assistant Director.—Post held in abeyance.
Malariologist.—U Tin, D.T.M., from 1st January to 17th April;
18th August to 11th September; and from 1st October to 31st
December 1939.
Mr. Robert K. Singh, M.B., B.S., from 18th April to 17th
August 1939.
Public Analyst.—Post held in abeyance.
Assistant Chemist.—Mr. G. C. Moitra, B.Sc., F.C.S., from 1st January
to 7th May, and from 9th July to 31st December 1939.
Mr. A. K. Sen-Gupta, M.Sc., F.I.C.S., from 8th May to 8th
July 1939.
Second Assistant Chemist.—Mr. A. K. Sen-Gupta, M.Sc., F.I.C.S.
from 1st January to 7th May, and from 9th July to 31st December
1939. Assistant Malariologist.—Mr. Robert K. Singh, M.B., B.S., from
1st January to 17th April, and from 18th August to 31st December
1939. Assistant Bacteriologists.—Sub-Assistant Surgeon U Pa How and
Sub-Assistant Surgeon U Kaung Mra Thoo.
VISITORS.—The following persons visited the Institute during the
year:— Lieut.-Col. G. Covell, M.D., I.M.S. Director, Malaria Institute of
India, Kasauli.
Dr. J. Reenstierna, M.D., Professor at the University of Upsala
and Inspector of Leprosy in Sweden.
2
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE HARCOURT BUTLER
Dr. R. C. Robertson, M.C., M.D. (Glas.), M.R.C.P. (Edin.),
D.P.H. (Edin.), F.R.F.P. & S. (Glas.), Member of the League of
Nations Epidemic Commission to China, and Director of Lister
Institute, Shanghai.
ACTIVITIES OF THE INSTITUTE.—The activities of this Institute are
divided into (1) Teaching, (2) Routine Public Health Laboratory Work,
(3) Investigation and Research, and (4) Public Health Propaganda.
I. INSTRUCTIONS.—The following courses of instructions were given
during the year:
—
(1) The Government of Burma Qualifying Course for Public
Health Inspectors.
(2) The Government of Burma Licence in Hygiene Course for
Sub-Assistant Surgeons.
(3) The Course of Training of Health Visitors.
Lectures and demonstrations on Hygiene and Public Health were
given to the students of the following Institutions:—
(1) Medical College of the Rangoon University, and
(2) Burma Government Medical School.
A short course of instruction on Hygiene and Public Health was
given to the Post-Graduate Sub-Assistant Surgeons of the Medical
Department from the 5th July to 4th August 1939.
A special training in anti-malaria measures was given in the month
of August to the Assistant Medical Officer of the Mawchi Mines.
A course of training in Bacteriology lasting for two months from 1st
June to 31st July 1939, was given to Mr. S. Suvi, M.B., Ch.B. (Leeds),
D.P.H. (Leeds), officiating Assistant District Health Officer, preparatory
to his being appointed as Director of the Vaccine Depôt at Meiktila.
EXAMINATIONS.—The following examinations were held during the
year at this Institute:—
(1) Efficiency bar examination of U Ba Yin, Public Health
Inspector, Insein District.
(2) Efficiency bar examination of U Ba Tin (1), Public Health
Inspector, Prome District.
(3) Examination of Health Visitors.
(4) Examination of Post-Graduate Sub-Assistant Surgeons of the
Medical Department on Hygiene and Public Health.
(5) Examination of the students of the Burma Government
Medical School on Hygiene and Public Health.
(6) Examination of the students of the Medical College of the
Rangoon University on Hygiene and Public Health
.
(7)
Qualifying Examination for Government Licence in Hygiene.
(8) Government of Burma Qualifying Examination for Public
Health Inspectors.
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RANGOON, FOR THE YEAR 1939.
3
CINEMA SHOWS.—On seven occasions during the year, cinema shows
and demonstrations were given at this Institute.
MEETINGS.—During the year under report, 33 meetings were held at
the Institute by various Societies and Committees such as the Burma
Red Cross Society, the National Council of Women in Burma, St. John
Ambulance Association, the Burma Tuberculosis and Leprosy Relief
Association, etc. The Annual General Meeting of the Red Cross Society
was presided over by His Excellency the Governor of Burma.
ISSUE OF PROPHYLACTIC VACCINES.—The following table shows the
issue of prophylactic vaccines during the year :—
Name of prophylactic
vaccine.
Number of
requisitions
c o m p l i e d
with.
Quantity
issued.
Plague vaccine ...
...
290
178,170 doses.
Cholera vaccine ...
...
276
265,414 c.cs.
Influenza vaccine
"
3
60 c.cs.
II. LABORATORY ROUTINE –Bacteriological
Laboratory.—
(i)
Preparation of Cholera Vaccine.— The technique employed was
the same as in previous year. The stock of bulk vaccine at the
beginning of the year was 201,375 c.cs. and 210,125 c.cs. were prepared
during the year. A total of 235,965 c.cs. was filled in ampoules and
issued to the store-keeper.
(ii) Bacteriological analysis of water.—Three hundred and thirty
samples of water were received for routine bacteriological examination.
The table below shows the number examined during the year :—
_
...
Hlawga Lakes (Corporation of Rangoon)...
Tube Wells under the Burma Underground Water Act, 1930
101
68
Samples sent by the Superintendents of Jails
...
. . .
33
Samples sent by Municipalities
...
...
. . .
49
Samples sent by the Public Works Department ....
...
16
Samples sent by the Civil and Military Police . ...
8
Samples sent by the Port Health Officer, Rangoon
...
4
Others...
...
...
...
...
5 1
Total . ...
. .
330
_
(iii) Examination of shaving brushes sent by the Appraiser
of the Customs Department for the presence of B. anthracis
9
(iv) Examination of sputum for T.B. ...
. . .
15
(v) Chemical and cultural examination of urine
...
4
(vi) Examination of fæces. for the presence of ova,
protozoa, etc.
.... .
. ...
...
...
15
(vii) Examination of smears
...
...
12
4
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE HARCOURT BUTLER
(viii) Preparation of Bacterial Emulsions and High Titre sera .—
Bacterial Emulsions of the typhoid and paratyphoid group of organisms
were prepared in accordance with the instructions detailed in the
Medical Council Research Series No. 51. Agglutination cholera serum,
"Inaba 'O' " was also prepared during the year.
(ix) Identification of rats .—The following table shows the number
of rats received from the Port Health Officer, Rangoon, and identified
during the year. In no case Pr. p estis was detected :— .
Species.
Live and
dead rats
(Port area).
Live rats
(Steamships).
Dead rats
(Steamships).
G. bengalensis
...
...
1,050
N i l .
N i l .
R. norvegicus
...
...
197
17
6
R. rattus
...
...
161
48
18
M. concolor
...
...
5 5 9
1
N i l .
M. musculus
...
...
4 6 2
79
13
C. coerulea
...
...
2 5 2
N i l .
N i l .
Total
...
2,681
145
37
In addition to the above, three rats were received from other
sources.
(x) Identification of snakes.—Out of twenty-one snakes received for
identification, twenty belonged to the following species : —
(1) Lycodon aulicus.
(5) Chrysopelea ornata.
(2) Psamodynastes pulverulentus.
(6) Bungarus multicinctus.
(3) Trimeresurus gramineus.
(7) Natrix piscatus.
(4) Boiga cyanodon.
(8) Oligodon purpurascens.
The snake that could not be identified was received from Gyobyu,
Taikkyi Township. It was sent through Professor F. J. Meggitt of
Biological Department of the University of Rangoon, to Dr. Smith of
the British Museum, who thought that it belonged to the genus
Lycodon, but could not identify the species. His reply was as
follows :— "It may be an aberrent specimen having a general
reduction in scales all round, but for the present should be described
as new ".
(xi) Miscellaneous .—(a) A report on the Rat Flea Survey of the
Rangoon Port Area was drawn up and printed as a Government publi-
cation during the year under review.
(b) A poster on rat fleas depicting both sexes of Xenopsylla, Pulex,
Ctenocephalus and Nosopsylla was drawn up during the year.
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RANGOON, FOR THE YEAR 1939.
5
MALARIA BUREAU.—The following routine work was done during
the year :—
(i) Identification of specimens.—
Anopheline larvæ
... ...
...
1,825
Adult anopheline mosquitoes
...
...
258
(ii) Dissection of adult anophelines .—A total of 47 adult mosquitoes
received from Gyobyu Water Work Constructions, and from Messrs.
the Indo-Burma Petroleum Co., Ltd., Indaw and Thayetmyo, were
dissected.
(iii)
Blood Examinations .—Twenty-seven blood smears were
examined for the presence of malarial parasites. Nine smears were
found to be positive.
(iv) Spleen Census .—The reports were received from 32 districts,
43 towns and 521 villages.
(v) Fish Breeding .—The total number of young fish born during
the year was 39,521. One hundred and ninety-nine female adults and
912 male adults were distributed to subsidiary hatcheries in various
districts.
(vi Quimne Distribution .—Prophylaxis against malaria was carried
out by free distribution of quinine.
(vii) Weekly Reports .—Weekly reports of anti-malaria work carried
out in Kyaukpyu, Maymyo and Lashio were received at the Malaria
Bureau as usual.
Kyaukpyu. —Anti-malaria measures have been carried out systema-
tically under the supervision of an Epidemic Sub-Assistant Surgeon.
Reclamation of Ngalapwe swamp and of the low-lying paddy fields in
Kalabadaung area have done much towards the reduction of mosquito
breeding. The number of prisoners employed for the work was
increased from 40 to 50. Oiling and Paris-green spraying was carried
out in places where permanent measures could not be undertaken. Oil
balls and oil drips were placed at important drains.
A spleen census of the town showed a spleen index of 4.25, a slight
increase as compared with the figure of the previous year (2.53 per
cent). This is due to an influx of malarious cases from An and
Cheduba Townships. The spleen index of Ngalapwe which was 18.75
in 1938 shows a decrease to 11.36 per cent,—an example of the effect
of carrying out of systematic anti-malaria measures.
Maymyo .—It is gratifying to note the interest evinced by the Anti-
Malaria Committee in the carrying out of the anti-malaria measures
systematically. The measures taken, viz., filling up of low-lying areas,
oiling, spraying of Paris-green, construction of sub-soil drainage, have
been found to be effective. The Malariologist who inspected the town
6
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE HARCOURT BUTLER
in December emphasized again the necessity for the extension of the
sub-soil drainage scheme, and of the adoption of such naturalistic
measures as herbage cover, etc. The hatchery has been working
satisfactorily and the introduction of larvivorous fish into water
collections where carrier anophelines were found breeding, showed
remarkable success. The campaign against domestic mosquitoes was
also carried out during the year, and resulted in a considerable
reduction of their number.
Lashio. —The suggestions made by the Malariologist during his last
visit will, it is hoped, gradually be taken up. They should go a long
way towards eradication of carrier anopheline mosquitoes, and thus
improve the health of the town. A masonry hatchery built in Lashio
has, during the year, been stocked with larvivorous fish, and fish-
breeding as one of the anti-malaria measures is now in progress.
(viii) Surveys and Inspections.—Malaria surveys were carried out
during the year at the following
places:—
(1) Yamèthin Township.
(4) Kawlin Town.
(2) Shwedaung Town.
(5) Mogôk Town.
(3) 1st and 2nd Battalion, Burma (6) Popa Village (Myingyan Township)
Military Police, Rangoon. (7) Kani Township.
Mosquito surveys were carried out during the year at the
Mingaladon Aerodrome and Maubin Town.
Inspection of the following areas was carried out:
—
(1) Kvaukpyu Town.
(2)Pyindaye Forest Reserve Area (Pyapôn District).
(3)
Katha Town.
(4) Bhamo Town.
(5) Maymyo Town.
CHEMICAL LABORATORY.—A total of 989 samples comprising of 371
samples of water and 618 samples of miscellaneous foods and drugs and
other articles were examined during the year under report.
Water. —Of the 371 samples of water, 104 samples from old and
new tube wells were examined for the issue of permanent licences
under the Burma Underground Water Act, 1930. The remaining 267
samples were received from the Public Health Department, District,
Councils, Municipalities, Town Committees, Hospitals, Jails and various
other sources.
-
Foods and Drugs.—Most of the samples were received from the Port
Health Department and Jails. A detailed statement showing the
618 samples of foods and drugs as well as other articles examined, is
appended to this report.
Ghee. —Of the ten samples found adulterated or otherwise unatis
-factory, four were found to be entirely vegetable fat, one grossly
adulterated, and the remaining five being slightly adulterated.
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RANGOON, FOR THE YEAR 1939.
7
Milk ( f r e s h
) . — S i x t y - o n e s a m p l e s , o u t o f a t o t a l o f 7 2 s a m p l e s
examined, were found to be adulterated or otherwise unsatisfactory.
Water was the main adulterant in every case and some were adulterated
with cane sugar, starch and lactose in addition.
Mustard Oi1 .—Out of the 26 samples examined, 17 were found
adulterated, the adulterant being mainly groundnut oil.
Rice .—Of the 89 samples examined, 49 samples were found to be
below 0.37 per cent in phosphoric anhydride contents. The samples
have been grouped according to their phosphoric anhydride contents as
follows :—
Phosphoric anhydride
content.
Number of
samples.
Percentage.
Below 0.30 per cent
...
17
19.1
From 0.30 per cent to 0.36
per cent.
32
36.0
0.37 per cent and above
40
44.9
III. INVESTIGATION AND RESEARCH.—(a) Eijkman Test .—It is held by
many that lactose fermenters of fæcal origin have a heat tolerant.
property and they produce acid and gas at 46°C while lactose fermen-
ters of non-fæcal origin would fail to produce acid and gas in such
condition. To find out whether this observation holds good in the case
of Burma waters, 347 samples of water collected from various sources
were tested in this laboratory during the year under report. Fifty c.c.
of test water was added to 50 c.c. of double strength MacConkey broth
in a test tube. The tube was incubated for 48 hours in a water-bath
kept at a constant temperature of 46°C, after which it was examined for
the presence of acid and gas. Of the 140 samples of water showing a
satisfactory standard of purity (presumptive coli test at 37°C showing
100 c.c.–or +), none produced acid and gas when incubated at 46°C.
From the 121 samples, true coliform organisms were isolated at 37°C
whereas only 88 of these samples showed acid and gas at 46°C. In
other words, heat-tolerant test failed to detect 28 per cent of bad water.
Only citrate +, Indol–lactose fermenters were isolated from
MacConkey broth culture in case of 86 samples incubated at 37°C.
Out of these, 12 samples produced acid and gas in the same media
incubated at 46°C. Every one of these 12 tubes was plated and from
five of them, citrate –, Indol+organisms were isolated, whereas seven
showed citrate+Indol – organisms only. These tests show that
incubation at 46°C does not help in differentiating fæcal from
non-fæcal organism ; neither it has any advantage over the presumptive coli
test carried out at 37°C. According to Colonel Taylor, however, this
heat-tolerant test may be usefully employed in detecting recency of