131
Blood typing tests were carried out on 2,139 individuals which is an
increase of 845 tests as compared with last year. All laboratories continue
to prepare and store their own Group II and III sera in order to be in a posi
- t i o n t o c a r r y o u t t h i s i m p o r t a n t t e s t . B l o o d s e d i m e n t a t i o n t e s t s i n c r e a s e d
by 231 to 663. This test has become far more universal throughout labora
- t o r i e s b u t a s l a s t y e a r t h e g r e a t e s t n u m b e r w a s c a r r i e d o u t a t t h e D i s t r i c t
Laboratory, Razmak. This laboratory was also responsible for 164 reticulo
-cyte counts out of a total of 300.
Post mortem examinations were undertaken when considered necessary
a n d n u m b e r e d 9 1 o f w h i c h 4 0 w e r e p e r f o r m e d i n E a s t e r n C o m m a n d a l o n e .
In one case death was found to be due to meningitis caused by a typical B.
influenzae, this organism was also recovered from pus in the right knee joint.
All available literature has been studied but no record can be found of infec
- t i o n o f a j o i n t c a v i t y b y t h i s o r g a n i s m .
Bacteriological examinations of water numbered 2,373 which is a slight
d e c r e a s e f r o m l a s t y e a r . I t w a s n o t e d t h a t l a c k o f u n i f o r m i t y a p p e a r e d t o
e x i s t a m o n g l a b o r a t o r i e s i n t h e m e t h o d s o f e x a m i n i n g w a t e r b a c t e r i o l o g i c a l l y ,
and in the expression of results, due probably to the various methods given
in different text books. All laboratories have been circularised and recom
- m e n d e d t o e m p l o y t h e m e t h o d l a i d d o w n i n t h e M i n i s t r y o f H e a l t h B u l l e t i n
No. 71. Chemical examination of specimens of water are comparatively rarely
asked for but numbered 197 as compared with 159 last year. Bacteriological
examination of specimens of milk numbered 402 which corresponds closely
with the total of last year's examinations.
There were 1,526 examinations for the presence of T. pallida in scrapings
of which 207 gave positive results. The diagnosis of syphilis by means of the
Wassermann reaction or by the demonstration of the presence of T. pallida
has already been referred to.
A total of 9,431 specimens of urine were culturally examined which in
cluded 1,243 examinations carried out in the Enteric Laboratory, Kasauli
in connection with the investigation of convalescent patients who had suffered
from infection with the Enteric Group. From the total number of specimens
examined in all laboratories B. coli was isolated on 339 occasions.
Scrapings from cases suspected of suffering from tropical sore numbered
523 as compared with 349 last year. Leishman-donovan bodies were de
-monstrated on 147 occasions, the District Laboratory, Quetta, being respon
-sible for 90 positive tests. As far as Quetta is concerned this is a very definite
increase from last year, the Officer in charge of the laboratory attributing it
to the arrival in Quetta of new "unsalted" troops. He also remarks that it
is interesting to note that since his arrival in Quetta in 1936 he has only seen
one case of an oriental sore on the face of an adult European female. Boys
and girls are equally infected on the face. It appears that the powder and
cosmetics used by ladies have a repellent effect. Ladies are mostly affected
round the arms and legs.
Further animal experiments on transmission of this condition were under
- t a k e n b u t r e s u l t s o b t a i n e d w e r e u n s a t i s f a c t o r y a n d i n c o n c l u s i v e .
The increase in the number of cases infected this year in Quetta is of
interest as it coincided with a decrease in the number of cases of sandfly fever
although sandflies were unusually prevalent.