NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
8
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE HARCOURT BUTLER
pollution. According to him, the presumptive test will be positive in
equal small quantities of water both at 37°C. and 46°C. in case of a
recent pollution. It is intended to carry out further investigations in
the light of Colonel Taylor's observations.
(b) Detection of argemone oil in mustard oil .—Recent observations
suggest that the poisonous substance in the Mustard oil causing the
symptoms of epidemic dropsy is derived from the seeds of Argemone
mexicana, which grow wildly and get mixed with the mustard seeds in
varying proportions at the time of harvesting. An attempt was made
to detect the presence of this adulterant in samples of oil obtained from
various sources. In all, twenty samples were examined. Both the nitric
acid test and cupric acetate test were carried out in every case.
O f t h e s e s a m p l e s , s i x s h o w e d p o s i t i v e r e a c t i o n , t w o o f w h i c h ( o n e b r o u g h t
by the Port Health Officer, Rangoon, and another by the Assistant
Director of Public Health) were traced to persons suffering from
epidemic dropsy. The other positive cases were all obtained from local
shops and enquiries could not be made as to whether there was any case
of epidemic dropsy among the consumers, for want of facilities. The
then Director of the All-India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health,
very kindly sent to this Institute, specimens of Argemone mexicana s e e d
and oil. There is a good dea1 of outward resemblance between
mustard oil and argemone oil, and the possibility that this oil may
deliberately be used as an adulterant should always be remembered.
(c)
Glycerinè.—An experiment to investigate the bactericidal
properties of glycerine on organisms, e. g , staphylococci, B. coli and
aerobic spore-bearers, was conducted during the year both at incubator
and frigidaire temperatures. The results obtained are given below :—
Test organisms.
1 in 2 dilution at 37°C.
1 in 2 dilution at frigidaire
temperature.
Staphylococci
... No growth on sub-culture
after 2nd day.
No growth on sub-culture
after 6th day
.
B. coli
...
...
Do.
Found alive on the 16th
day.
Spore-bearers
...
Found alive on the 16th
day.
Do.
Sub-cultures were not made after the 16th day.
(d) Sea-weed.—In connection with a scheme proposed for the
prevention of goitre, in endemic areas, by administering cleaned and
dried sea-weeds, three different samples were purchased locally and
examined for their iodine contents. They were found to contain
0.09 to 0.10 per cent of iodine.
(e) Water filters .—It was noticed on several instances that tube well
waters filtered through "Delphin", "Doulton" or similar common
filters, showed on chemical analysis a marked increase in total solid
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RANGOON, FOR THE YEAR 1939. 9
figures instead of a decrease, as was expected. An experiment
with new, as well as used filters of various types showed that a
prolonged use of a filter rendered insoluble carbonates of lime and
magnesia deposited in the pores, with the result that when waters
containing free carbon dioxide were passed through them, the hitherto
insoluble carbonates became soluble and filtered through the pores,
thereby causing an increase in the total solids over that of the unfiltered
sample.
(f) Nutritional.—The most important investigation carried out during
the year was on nutrition. A total of 170 samples of food comprising
of cereals, dried fish, ngapi, beans, vegetables, sweets, and other
articles of diet were examined for moisture, proteins, fat, carbohydrates,
mineral matter, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and calorific value.
Estimation of vitamin C contents was also done in cases of fruits and
vegetables. A table showing the vitamin C contents of various
vegetables and fruits thus examined, is appended to this report. Details
of the other tests will be reported in due course.
IV. PUBLIC HEALTH PROPAGANDA.—Various articles of exhibit
belonging to the Red Cross Society and maintained at this Institute
were sent out on nine occasions during the year under report to the
following places:—
(1) Pegu Pagoda Festival.
(2) Gamu Village (Insein District).
(3) Methodist English Girls' High
School, Rangoon.
(4) Civil Hospitals in the Hant
ha- waddy District.
(5) American Baptist
Mission
Agricultural School, Pyin-
mana.
(6) Publicity Tour of the riverine
towns and villages from
Mandalay to Prome.
(7) Medical Science Exhibition
Medical college, Rangoon.
(8) Rural Reconstruction Vacation
School, Meiktila
(9) Health Exhibition and Baby
Show, Dedaye.
Lectures on "Malaria" and "Venereal Diseases" were given to the
Anglo-Vernacular teachers at the Physical Training Camp at Cabin
Island, Kokine, on the 22nd and 29th April 1939.
Lectures and demonstrations on "Malaria" were also given by the
Malariologist of the Institute during the Publicity Tour arranged by the
Registrar of Co-operative Societies at the following towns and villages
on the Irrawaddy River between Mandalay and Prome:—
(1) Ngazun.
(2) Myinmu.
(3) Pakôkku.
(4) Nyaung-U.
(5) Sinbyugyun.
(6) Chauk.
(7) Yenangyaung.
(8) Magwe.
(9) Minbu.
(10) Thayetmyo.
The Annual Health Week Exhibition was not held during the
year.
K. P. KUNDU,
M.B. (Cal.), D. Bact. (Lond.),
Director, Harcourt Butler Institute of
Public Health.
RANGOON, the 27th May 1940.
(11)
TABLE I.
Detailed statement of various articles (other than water) examined during
the year ending 31st December 1939.
No.
Description of samples.
Number
examined.
Number
adulterated
or otherwise
unsatis
factory.
Percentage .
(1)
(2)
(3)
( 4 )
(5)
1
Argemone oil
...
...
1
. . .
. . .
2 Atta
...
...
...
1
...
. . .
3 Bleaching Powder
...
...
2
. . .
. . .
4 Boiler Tube incrustation
...
1
...
. . .
5 Broth
...
...
12
. . .
. . .
6 Butter
...
...
5
2
4 0 . 0
7 Cholera vaccine for percentage of
phenol.
6
. . .
. . .
8 Cinchona Febrifuge tablets
...
19
...
. . .
9 Coffee
...
...
...
3
. . .
. . .
10 Curd
...
...
...
2
...
. . .
11 Dhall
...
...
...
3
1
33.3
12 Eye-Lotion tablets
...
...
3
...
...
13 Flour, wheat
...
...
3
1
33.3
14 Filter scrapings
...
...
3
...
...
15 Ghee
...
...
...
108
10
9 . 3
16 Lozenges
...
...
1
...
. . .
17 Milk, condensed
...
...
21
3
14.3
18 Milk, fresh
...
...
72
61
8 4 . 1
19 Milk, dried
...
...
3
2
66.7
20 Mustard oil
...
26
17
65.4
21 Rice for Phosphoric anhydride ...
89
49
55.1
22 Rice bran
...
...
25
. . .
...
23 Rice for food values ... ...
110
. . .
...
24 Bamboo seeds for food values
...
2
. . .
. . .
25 Bamboo rice for food values
...
3
...
. . .
26 Kywe-U for food values
. . .
1
. . .
. . .
27 Roasted beans for food values
...
1
. . .
. . .
28 Sweets for food values
...
3
. . .
. . .
29 Spices for food values
. . .
1
. . .
...
30 Soya beans for food values
. . .
3
. . .
. . .
31 Vegetables and other food stuffs for
food values.
74
. . .
. . .
32 Sea-weeds
...
. . .
3
. . .
. . .
33 Sugar
... ...
. . .
1
...
. . .
34 Miscellaneous
...
...
7
...
. . .
Total
...
618
( 12 )
TABLE II.
Vitamin C contents of some important fruits and vegetables.
No.
Name.
Vitamin C
contents (in mgs.
per 100 gms.)
Por t i ons
examined.
(1)
( 2 )
(3)
(4)
1 Jin-kha-baung-thee
...
...
237.5 Whole fruit.
2 Sweet Lime ...
...
...
60.50-90.80 Juice.
3 Guava (semi ripe)
..
...
68.60 Pulp.
4 Guava (ripe)
...
...
...
61.40
Do.
5 Guava (green)
...
...
...
38.30
Do.
6 Lemon
..
.
...
...
40.2-52.8 Juice.
7 Orange
...
...
...
28.08-50.1
Do.
8 Tomato (ripe)
...
...
. . .
43.90
Do.
9 Tomato (green)
...
...
24.0-41.2
Do.
10 Tomato (semi-ripe)
...
...
39.71
Do.
11 Lime (ripe) ...
...
...
14.65
Do.
12 Lime (green) ...
...
...
10.85
Do.
13 "Ju" vegetables
...
...
11.0
Edible portions.
14 Kyaung-sha-thee
...
3.0
D o .
15 Pe-zaung-jan ...
...
...
1.0
Do.
G.B.C.P.O.—No. 233, D.P.H., 23-4-31—25—VIII.
TP|16| PI.5
IP
REPORT
ON THE WORKING OF THE
HARCOURT
BUTLER INSTITUTE
OF PUBLIC HEALTH , RANGOON
FOR THE YEAR 1940
RANGOON
SUPDT., GOVT. PRINTING AND STATIONERY, BURMA
1941
Price,—Annas 8=9d.]
REPORT
ON THE WORKING OF THE
HARCOURT BUTLER INSTITUTE OF
PUBLIC HEALTH, RANGOON
FOR THE YEAR 1940
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, 98, Phayre Street, Rangoon.
CONTINENTAL TRADING CO., 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, 61, Sule Pagoda Road, Rangoon.
PROPRIETOR, THU DHAMA WADI PRESS, 16-80, Maung Khine Street
Rangoon.
RANGOON TIMES PRESS, Rangoon.
IN INDIA.
Book Co., LTD. 4/4A, College Square, Calcutta.
BUTTERWORTH & (INDIA). LTD. Phonix Building, Graham Road,
Ballard'Estate, Bombay.
CI TY BOOK Co. , Post Box No. 283, Madr as.
D. B. TARAPOREVALA. SONS & Co. , Bombay
HIGGINBOTHAM & Co. , Madras.
MR. RAM NARAIN LAL, Proprietor, National Press, Katra. Allahabad,
S. K. LAHIRI & Co., 56, College Street, Calcutta,
THACKER, SPINE & 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 COMMIS
-SIONER FOR INDIA, Public Department, India House, Aldwych
Loudon, 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 1940.
Extract from the Proceedings of the Government of Burma, Health and Public
Works Department, No. 361SJ41, dated the 1st August 1941.
READ—
The Report on the Working of the Harcourt Butler Institute of Public
Health, Rangoon, for the year 1940.
RESOLVED THAT—
The Report be published.
By order,
SHWE BAW,
Secretary to the Govt. of Burma,
Health and Public Works Department.
REPORT
ON THE WORKING OF THE
Harcourt Butler Institute of Public Health,
Rangoon
For the Year 1940.
STAFF OF THE INSTITUTE—Director.—Mr. K. P. Kundu, M.B. (Cal.),
D.Bact. (Lond.).
Assistant Director.—Post held in abeyance.
Malariologist.—U Tin, D.T.M.
Public Analyst.— Post held in abeyance.
Assistant Chemist.—Mr. G. C. Moitra, B.Sc., F.C.S., from 1st January
to 28th March, and from 8th May to 31st December 1940.
Mr. A. K. Sen-Gupta, M.Sc., F.I.C.S., from 29th March to 7th May
1940.
Second Assistant Chemist.—Mr. A. K. Sen-Gupta, M.Sc., F.I.C.S., from
1st January to 28th March, and from 8th May to 31st December 1940.
Assistant Malariologist.— Mr . Robert K. Singh, M.B., B.S.
Assistant Bacteriologist.— Sub-Assistant Surgeon U Pa How.
Second Assistant Bacteriologist.—Sub-Assistant Surgeon U Kaung
Mra Thoo, from 1st January to 30th June 1940.
Sub-Assistant Surgeon U Ohn Pe, from 11th July to 31st December
1940.
Tutor for the Special Class of training of Public Health Inspectors.—
Sub-Assistant Surgeon U Kaung Mra Thoo, from 1st July to
31st December 1940.
Visitors.—The following persons visited the Institute during the
year:—
Dr. Bruce Mayne, Special Expert, United States Public Health
Service and member of the League of Nations Malaria Commission.
Dr. L. L. Williams, Senior Surgeon, United States Public Health
Service and member of the League of Nations Malaria Commission.
ACTIVITIES OF THE INSTITUTE.—The activities of the Institute are
divided into (1) Teaching, (2) Routine Public Health Laboratory work,
(3) Investigation and Research, (4) Public Health Propaganda, and
(5) Issue of Prophylactic Vaccines.
2 REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE HARCOURT BUTLER
I. INSTRUCTIONS.—The following courses of instructions were given
during the year:
—
(1) The special course of training of candidates from scheduled
areas, such as the Federated Shan States and the Chin Hills District,
as Public Health Inspectors.
(2) The Government of Burma Licence in Hygiene Course for
Sub Assistant Surgeons.
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 special course of instruction on Hygiene and Public Health
was given to the Post-Graduate Sub-Assistant Surgeons of the Medical
Department from 1st April to 31st May 1940. This course was of two
months duration instead of one month as was the case in previous
years.
Special training in anti-malaria measures was given to the follow--
ing persons at different periods of the year
:—
(1) Mr. K. P. Paul, Public Health Inspector, Sandoway.
(2) Maung Ba Tha, Public Health Inspector, Kyaukpyu.
(3) Mr. S. Murray, Public Health Inspector, Katha.
(4) Six soldiers of the Gloucestershire Regiment.
(5) Maung Aung Shein, Anti-Malaria Mate of the British Military
Hospital, Maymyo.
(6) Seven sepoys of the Burma Rifles.
(7) Mr. S. C. Dutta, Public Health Inspector, Bhamo.
(8) Sub-Assistant Surgeon U Tin Sein, Minbu District.
(9) U Ba Nyan, Officiating Assistant District Health Officer,
Northern Shan States.
During the year under report, Government was pleased to sanction
the entertainment of a full time Sub-Assistant Surgeon of the Public
Health Department, who has a licence in Hygiene qualification, to act
as a special tutor for the Public Health Inspectors Training Course.
This arrangement proved to be highly satisfactory not only in respect
of efficient teaching, but also in proper maintenance and upkeep of
teaching materials. The tutor took charge of various teaching diagrams,
posters and models kept at the museum of the Institute and rendered
valuable assistance to every lecturer. A noteworthy feature of this year's
training of Public Health Inspectors was that, coaching classes were
held by the special tutor on all working days. A long-felt need for a
whole time demostrator, who could devote his time solely to teaching
work was fulfilled during the year under report.
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RANGOON, FOR THE YEAR 1940.
3
EXAMINATIONS.—The following examinations were held during
the year at this Institute :
—
(1) Efficiency Bar examination of Mr. T. M. Dutta, Public Health
Inspector, Insein District.
(2) Efficiency Bar examination of Mr. Sylvester, Public Health
Inspector, Myaungmya.
(3) Efficiency Bar examination of U Tun Pe, Public Health
Inspector, Hanthawaddy District.
(4) Examination of Sub-Assistant Surgeon U Ohn Pe for promo--
tion to the stage of Rs. 175.
(5) Examination of Health Visitors.
(6) Examination of the students of the Burma Government
Medical School, on Hygiene and Public Health.
(7) Examination of the students of the Medical College of the
Rangoon University, on Hygiene and Public Health.
(8) Government of Burma Qualifying Examination for Public
Health Inspectors.
(9) Examination for Government Licence in Hygiene.
II. LABORATORY ROUTINE— Bacteriological Laboratory.—
(i)
Preparation of Cholera Vaccine.—The demand for cholera
vaccine was considerably heavy during the year under report. The
total number of doses of bulk vaccine manufactured was 834,095, as
against 210,125 of the previous year. Approximately 700,000 doses
of the above quantity were filled in ampoules and issued to the Store-
keeper for distribution, as against 235,965 doses of the year previous.
The technique employed for the preparation of this vaccine was the
same as in previous years.
To cope with this extraordinary demand, the staff of the
bacteriological laboratory had to work under sustained pressure not
only on week days but also during many holidays.
(ii) Bacteriological analysis of water samples.—
Hlawga Lakes (Corporation of Rangoon)
...
...
106
Tube Wells under the Burma Underground Water Act, 1930
36
Samples sent by the Superintendents of Jails
...
...
39
Samples sent by Local Bodies
...
...
...
82
Samples sent by the Public Works Department ...
...
17
Samples sent by the Civil and Military Police
...
...
9
Samples sent by the Port Health Officer, Rangoon
...
1
Others
...
...
...
...
50
Total
...
340
4
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE HARCOURT BUTLER
(iii) Examination of shaving brushes, sent by the
Appraiser of the Customs Department, for the presence of
B. anthracis
...
...
...
...
35
(iv) Examination of
sputum for Mycobacterium
tuberculosis
...
...
...
...
15
(v) Examination of fæces for the presence of ova,
p rotozoa, etc.
...
...
...
33
(vi) Chemical, microscopical and cultural examination
of urine
...
...
...
...
7
(vii) Examination of smears for Mycobacterium leprœ ...
6
(viii) Bacteriological examination of tinned meat for the
presence of Salmonella group of organisms
...
...
2
(ix) Sterilization of tooth brushes sent by the Burma
Red Cross Society and the Burma War Comforts Association
...
(x) 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. Agglutinating cholera serum
was also prepared from dried " Inaba ' 0 ' " antigen, obtained from the
Standards Laboratory, Oxford.
(xi) Stock cultures.—More than 100 bacterial cultures were
maintained in pure state during the year.
(xii) Media.—More than 1,960,000 c.cs. of media of various
description were prepared during the year under report.
(xiii) Animal experiments... •••
...
75
(xiv) 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. pestis was detected :—
Species.
Live and
dead rats
(Port area).
Live rats
(Steamships).
Dead rats
(Steamships).
G. bengalensis
... ...
996
Nil.
Nil.
R. norvegicus
...
...
171
15
Nil.
R. rattus
. ..
...
165
20
Nil.
M. concolor...
...
3 4 6
Nil.
Nil.
M. musculus
...
...
356
72
1
C. coerulea
...
...
299
Nil.
Nil.
Total
...
2,333
107
1
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RANGOON, FOR THE YEAR 1940.
5
In addition, 28 rats were received from other sources.
(xv) Identification of snakes .—Fourteen snakes were received
during the year and were identified as follows :—
(1) Lycodon aulicus
... 3
(2) Boiga multimaculatus
... 2
(3) Typhlops
...
... 1
(4) Chrysopelea ornata . . . 2
(5) Zamenis korros
...
... 2
(6) Zamenis mucosus ...
... 1
(7) Natrix stolatus
...
... 2
(8) Dipsadomorphus hexagonotus
1
MALARIA BUREAU. —The following routine work was done during
the year :—
(i) Identification of specimens.—
Anopheline larvæ
...
. . . . . .
1,417
Adult anopheline mosquitoes ...
...
30
(ii) Spleen census .—The reports received from 25 districts
comprising 79 townships and 274 villages were recorded.
(iii) Fish Breeding .—During the year under report, 12,892 fish were
born in the central hatchery. Eight thousand six hundred and fifty-
one fish were distributed to various parts of Burma, either for breeding
purposes or for introduction into water collections, as an anti-mosquito
measure.
Subsidiary hatcheries at Hlegu and Kungyangôn were inspected by
the Malariologist and the Assistant Malariologist respectively.
(iv) Quinine Distribution .—Approximately 63,252 treatments of
cinchona febrifuge were distributed as against 1,77,942 in the previous
year. The decrease was due to a restriction placed in free distribution
of quinine.
(v) Weekly reports on anti-malaria measures carried out at
Kyaukpyu, Lashio and Maymyo, were systematically scrutinised at the
Malaria Bureau, and all important features regarding these measures
were brought to the notice of the Director of Public Health, Burma,
with necessary remarks and suggestions.
(vi) Inspections .—Inspection of anti-malaria work was carried out
by the staff of the Malaria Bureau at Katha, Wuntho, Kawlin, Shwebo
and Maymyo.
(vii)
Malaria Surveys—Malaria surveys of the following areas were
undertaken during the year.—(1) Kya-In Township ( Amherst District) ,
(2) Kentung. (3) Pegu South Forest Division, (4) Yinmabin and Pale
Townships ( Lower Chindwin District) , (5) Suburbs of Prome, (6) Salin
Town, (7) Mingaladon Aerodrome and (8) Thakutpin Forest Reserve
Area (Hanthawaddy District).
(viii) The method of manufacture of cinchona febrifuge tablets as
(ix)
carried out at the Central Jail at Rangoon, was studied by the
Malariologist during the year, with a view to submit proposals for
undertaking the same by the Public Health Department.
6 REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE HARCOURT BUTLER
CHEMICAL LABORATORY.—A total of 1,035 samples, comprising of
393 samples of water, 12 samples of effluents, and 630 samples of foods,
drugs and other miscellaneous articles, were examined during the year.
Water .—Of the 393 samples examined, 54 samples were received
from the Water Officer under the Burma Underground Water Act,
1930. The remaining samples were received from the Municipalities,
District Councils, Town Committees, Hospitals, Jails and other sources
Effluents.—All the 12 samples of effluents were received from the
Public Works Department.
A detailed statement of miscellaneous articles examined, is appended
to this report.
III. INVESTIGATION AND RESEARCH—(a) Presumplive coliform count .—
One hundred and fifty samples of water were tested for
presumptive coliform count, according to the method given in Report
No. 71, published by the Ministry of Health, London. Tests were
also carried out with the same samples, according to the technique
followed by this laboratory. A remarkable corroboration of results was
obtained. Of the 54 samples, which showed a coliform count of 2 or
less, when tested by the former method, all except 3, conformed to a
satisfactory standard of bacteriological purity as judged by the method
adopted in this laboratory. In the case of the three exceptions, lactose
fermenters were present in 20 c.c. in two, and in 10 c.c. in the
remaining one.
On examining the data the other way round, it was found that,
with the exception of five samples, the coliform count was never
more than 2 in samples of water which, when tested according to the
method followed in this laboratory, showed an absence of lactose
fermenters in 20 c.c. In case of these exceptions, the count did not
exceed 5.
A report on the method of bacteriological examination of water as
followed in this laboratory, was submitted through the Director of
Public Health, Burma, to the Director, All-India Institute of Hygiene
and Public Health, Calcutta, in compliance with the latter's request.
(b) Toddy-drinking—its influence on the incidence of cholera.— Toddy
- -
d r i n k i n g i s v e r y p r e v a l e n t i n B u r m a . A b e l i e f e x i s t s t h a t i n m a n y
cases, the onset of cholera takes place soon after toddy drinking. An
investigation was undertaken to verify this.
There are four kinds of toddy in vogue in Burma:—
(i) Dhani-toddy, which is usually taken by people in the delta
districts and in the Arakan Division. There is no Dhani palm in
Upper Burma, as this palm grows in brackish water only. This toddy
is available for about eight months beginning from September.
(ii)
Htan-toddy.—This beverage is largely partaken of by the people
of Upper Burma, where the Hlan palm grows in profusion.