bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal requirements of secondary schoolchildren in winter
Authors: Auliciems A.
Published: May 2009

Secondary schoolchildren in England were asked to assess thermal conditions in winter according to subjective sensations of warmth. Conditions of normal occupancy and activity were maintained and optimum conditions established in terms of four thermal measures by regression analysis of over 2500 assessments by boys and girls. The comfort zone was delineated as that within which 60% of the children were comfortable and in terms of the commonly used dry-bulb temperature this zone lay between 59 and 70° F. in still air. The optimum conditions for children were also compared with those recommended for adults.
HI antibody to various influenza viruses and adenoviruses in individuals of blood groups A and O
Authors: Potter C. W.
Published: May 2009

Serum specimens collected in 1966 from individuals of different age groups were studied for the presence of haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody to four influenza viruses. All sera were from individuals of blood group A or O and in no instance was the incidence of antibody to a virus strain significantly greater for persons of blood group O compared with similar aged individuals of blood group A. This finding for HI antibody to A 2/Singapore/1/57 is different from similar studies of serum specimens collected in 1961–3. It is suggested that the change in the immune status of a population, with reference to blood-group status, is due to repeated exposure to infection; this changing pattern of immune status is discussed.

Similar studies of HI antibody to adenovirus type 3 and 7 in human sera from persons of blood group A and O shows a changing pattern with increasing age. These results are consistent with the findings for influenza virus and are discussed. Repeated exposure of a population to infection results in obscuring genetically determined variations in susceptibility.

I would like to thank Professor M. G. McEntegart, Professor of Medical Microbiology, and Professor C. H. Stuart-Harris, Professor of Medicine, for their advice and criticism, and Miss D. Coles, F.I.M.L.T., and Mrs P. Robinson for expert technical assistance.
Epidemiological studies onSalmonella senftenberg: II. Infections in farm animals
Authors: Hugh-Jones M. E.
Published: May 2009

Between August 1964 and November 1965Salmonella senftenbergwas isolated from poultry, sheep and cattle on eight farms in England and Scotland. From an analysis of the case records its presence would appear to be incidental; but it may contribute to poultry mortality by acting in conjunction with other intercurrent infections or following stressful events such as severe debeaking or cold brooder conditions.

I should like to thank the officers of the veterinary field investigation and research services who made available their records and notes for this work, and who visited the farms and hatcheries, but especially Mr R. Duff, Veterinary Laboratory, Lasswade, for his reports on the turkey poults from farm A; also Dr Betty Hobbs and Mr B. Hanson for their valuable criticisms.
Some factors affecting the viability of freeze-thawed T4 bacteriophage
Authors: Steele P. R. M. , Davies J. D. , Greaves R. I. N.
Published: May 2009

Some effects of freeze-thawing on the T 4 bacteriophage have been studied. The results indicated that most of the inactivation of rapidly thawed samples was due to osmotic damage, whereas inactivation of slowly thawed samples appeared to be correlated with the eutectic temperature of the suspending medium. Peptone significantly increased the survival of slowly thawed T 4 phage. The particular constituents of peptone largely responsible for this protection were separated as two distinct peptide fractions, using G 25 Sephadex.

This work has been supported in part by grants from the Medical Research Council and the Office of Naval Research under contract F61052–68-C-0041.
Salmonella and Arizona in reptiles and man in Western Australia
Authors: Iveson J. B. , Mackay-Scollay E. M. , Bamford V.
Published: May 2009

1. Ninety-seven (83.6%) of 116 reptiles, comprising 70 lizards, 40 snakes, 4 tortoises and 2 crocodiles, yielded isolations of organisms in the Salmonella and/or Arizona groups.

2. The reptiles were captive or free-ranging; the former were drawn from all states of mainland Australia, while the latter were from West Australia only.

3. The relative prominence ofSalmonellaserotypes containing numerically highsomatic antigens, the finding of newserotypes, of multiple infections, and of strains in subgenera II and III was remarked.

4. The lack of evidence of differences in the serotypes isolated from captive or wild reptiles (except for the isolation ofS. typhimuriumin creatures closely associated with man and his domestic fauna), and the apparent absence of a specific geographical distribution of serotypes in reptiles, lent support to the con clusion that reptiles provide a natural reservoir forSalmonellaand Arizona strains in Australia. The possible spill-over to man, his domestic animals and his food stuffs is discussed.

It is a pleasure to record our indebtedness to Dr Joan Taylor for her continuous interest and support in providing confirmation and identification of manySalmonellaserotypes; to Dr W. H. Ewing and later Dr R. Rhode for serotyping the Arizona strains; to Dr G. M. Storr, Curator of Reptiles in the Museum of Western Australia, for identifying the reptiles and to Dr W. S. Davidson, Commissioner of Public Health, Western Australia, for permission to publish.
The effect of the tapeworm Hymenolepis nana on immunity to tuberculosis in mice
Authors: Olds R. J.
Published: May 2009

Mice which carried the tapeworm Hymenolepis nana gave anomalous results when they were infected with tubercle bacilli. Males died earlier than females. The cause of death in some was intussusception or acute enteritis. More tapeworm eggs were excreted in the faeces of male mice, and, for each sex, egg counts were higher in BCG-vaccinated animals.

This work forms part of the studies on immunity to tuberculosis for a Ph.D. thesis, and was carried out while I was in receipt of a Harrison-Watson Studentship of Clare College and a Welcome Fellowship of the Animal Health Trust.
Cross-contamination by cooked-meat slicing machines and cleaning cloths
Authors: Gilbert R. J.
Published: May 2009

In view of recent food-borne outbreaks of salmonella infection in which cooked-meat slicing machines have been implicated in the spread of organisms from contaminated meat products to other meats, experiments have been made to provide laboratory evidence that a contaminated slicing machine will easily cross-contaminate other products passing through it. Chopped pork inoculated with coagulase-positive staphylococci was cut on a slicing machine; staphylococci were isolated up to the 41st slice of various cooked meats cut on the same machine. The experiments were repeated withSalmonella oranienburg; this serotype was isolated up to the 31st slice of various cooked meats cut on the same machine, and from pieces of damp cloth wiped over the gravity feed, knife centre disk and cutting blade.

The importance of efficient and regular cleaning of slicing machines with hot water containing detergent/disinfectant, or detergent followed by disinfectant, applied with clean cloths or preferably disposable paper, is stressed.

I thank Dr Betty C. Hobbs, Director of the Food Hygiene Laboratory, and Dr J. C. Kelsey, Administrative Director of the Central Public Health Laboratory, for their help throughout the work and the compilation of the paper.
Some rodenticidal properties of coumatetralyl
Authors: Greaves J. H. , Ayres Priscilla
Published: May 2009

The toxicity and palatability of coumatetralyl (3-(α-tetralyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin) to rats (Rattus norvegicus Berk.) were investigated in the laboratory by means of feeding tests. Animals resistant to warfarin (3-(α-acetonylbenzyl)-4-hydroxy-coumarin) and warfarin-resistant rats from infestations refractory to coumatetralyl, as well as non-resistant animals, were employed in the tests.

Medium oatmeal containing a concentration of 0·1% coumatetralyl was not markedly less palatable than the same food unpoisoned. In comparison warfarin at 0·05% but not at 0·025% was significantly less readily eaten than the plain food. Coumatetralyl at 0·05% and 0·005% was about as toxic as 0·005% warfarin is reported to be to non-resistant rats. Warfarin-resistant rats were significantly less susceptible to coumatetralyl than were non-resistant rats. Warfarin-resistant rats from an infestation refractory to coumatetralyl were significantly less susceptible to coumatetralyl than were animals from other sources.

It is considered that coumatetralyl at concentrations of the order of 0·05% in bait would be a good alternative to warfarin against non-resistant rats. While it would be expected that, at this concentration, coumatetralyl would often give good results against warfarin-resistant infestations, this use might eventually produce an increase in the incidence of resistance to both anticoagulants.

We thank Baywood Chemicals Ltd., for supplying the coumatetralyl used in this work. We are also indebted to several colleagues for supplying wild rats and information on field investigations and to Messrs G. Snell and P. Romer for technical assistance.
Overlap and the errors of plaque counting: I. The overlap biases of observed counts and their correction
Authors: Howes D. W.
Published: May 2009

The number of plaque-forming units is underestimated if plaques overlap. A simple model was developed to account for this bias, and tested by an extensive experimental analysis. It is shown that models of this type are inadequate, but can be modified to give objective methods for setting limits to the acceptable counting range, and for correcting the overlap bias of observed counts which fall within this range.

Where overlapping of plaques is a significant source of error, these methods will improve the efficiency of plaque assays and will render the statistical analysis of counting data more reliable.
Overlap and the errors of plaque counting: II. The bias of the variance and the concealment of errors
Authors: Howes D. W. , de St Groth S. Fazekas
Published: May 2009

The overlapping of plaques compresses their distributions and reduces observed variances. For a given distribution the reduction of the variance is substantially larger than that of the mean. To derive the error of a plaque assay from the assumption that the variance equals the mean may therefore lead to serious over-estimation of the precision of the assay.

Procedures for estimating the true error of plaque assays are developed, and their use is illustrated on experimental material.
Transfer areas and clean zones in operating suites
Authors: Ayliffe G. A. J. , Babb J. R. , Collins B. J. , Lowbury E. J. L.
Published: May 2009

The value of clean zones and of transfer areas in operating suites was assessed by comparisons of the amounts of contamination on floors, trolleys and footwear in suites with and without a clean zone and a transfer area; counts of Clostridium welchii were used as an index of bacterial contamination introduced into the aseptic zone from outside.

The mean counts of Cl. welchii on contact plates from the wheels of trolleys used to convey patients from wards to the operating suite (67·9 ± 7·68 per plate) were significantly higher than those from theatre trolleys (i.e. those used only inside a theatre suite provided with a transfer area) (3·13 ± 0·47 per plate); mean counts of total bacteria were only slightly lower on the wheels of theatre trolleys than on those of hospital trolleys. Other surfaces of hospital trolleys showed counts similar to those found on theatre trolleys.

Contact plates from floors showed significantly lower counts of Cl. welchii in the aseptic zone and the clean zone than in the hospital corridor, the protective zone and (when present) the transfer area.

The mean counts per 100 cm2 of Cl. welchii were approximately the same on the floor of a theatre with a clean zone and a transfer area (0·83) as in one with a clean zone but no transfer area (0·5). Counts of total bacteria were higher in the latter. A suite with no clean zone or transfer area showed a higher mean count of Cl. welchii on contact plates from the aseptic zone (operating theatre) (20·5 ± 12·33 per 100 cm2). These higher levels of contamination were due to sporadic high counts of Cl. welchii found near the door of the theatre with no clean zone; in another theatre with no clean zone the level of Cl. welchii on the floor was not higher than that in the theatres with clean zones.

Theatres with plenum ventilation had lower mean counts of airborne Cl. welchii than those ventilated by windows: there was no significant difference in the levels of Cl. welchii on the floors of theatres with the two forms of ventilation.

On sampling with contact plates, theatre footwear yielded fewer total organisms, Staphylococcus aureus and Cl. welchii than outdoor shoes removed before entering the clean zone.

The hygienic value of transfer areas and clean zones is discussed. Bacteriological support could not be obtained for the former, but the latter appeared to contribute something to the cleanliness of the theatre by preventing heavy sporadic contamination.

We wish to thank Mr M. Wilkins for valuable assistance, the staff of the operating theatres for their co-operation and Alne Engineering Limited, 57 High Street, Henley-in-Arden, Solihull, for supplying disposable contact plates.
Strontium chloride and strontium selenite enrichment broth media in the isolation ofSalmonella
Authors: Iveson J. B. , Mackay-Scollay E. M.
Published: May 2009

Two new media, strontium chloride and strontium selenite broths, are described for the enrichment culture ofSalmonellafrom human and animal material.

In comparative trials, strontium chloride was found to be comparable to Rappaport medium for the recovery of a wide range ofSalmonellaserotypes from human faeces and sewage, and from pig faeces and glands. Both were superior to selenite F medium.

Strontium selenite was found to be superior to selenite F in the recovery ofS. typhifrom human faeces and sewage.

We are greatly indebted to Mr M. H. Lello for preparing the samples of strontium selenite used in the investigation and for allowing us to publish the notes on his method of preparing the substance.

Our thanks are due to Pro. C. T. Huang of Hong Kong for sending samples of faeces from typhoid cases under his care; and to Dr Joan Taylor for her continuing help in confirming or identifying the serotypes of salmonella isolated.

We thank Dr W. S. Davidson, Commissioner of Public Health, Western Australia, for permission to publish.
Antibody response and reactions to aqueous influenza vaccine, simple emulsion vaccine and multiple emulsion vaccine. A report to the Medical Research Council Committee on influenza and other respiratory virus vaccines
Authors: Taylor P. J. , Miller Christine L. , Pollock T. M. , Perkins F. T. , Westwood M. A.
Published: May 2009

Influenza vaccines prepared with a mineral oil adjuvant induce a substantial and durable antibody response. However, vaccines containing mineral oil in simple emulsion (water-in-oil emulsion) sometimes produce persistent local reactions (Medical Research Council, 1964). The development of a redispersed ‘multiple’ emulsion in which antigen is incorporated as an oil-in-water emulsion starting from an original water-in-oil emulsion was described by Herbert (1965). Such multiple emulsion vaccine has a lesser viscosity than simple emulsions and might therefore produce a substantial antibody response with fewer reactions. In this investigation a comparison has been made of the antibody response and short-term vaccination reactions after aqueous influenza vaccine, influenza vaccine containing a mineral oil in simple emulsion, and influenza vaccine containing mineral oil in multiple emulsion.
Pantothenate-requiring dwarf colony variants ofStaphylococcus aureusas the etiological agent in bovine mastitis
Authors: Sompolinsky D. , Gluskin I. , Ziv G.
Published: May 2009

In a herd affected with bovine mastitis, dwarf colony variants ofStaphylococcus aureus, auxotrophic for Ca-pantothenate, were isolated from the milk of four cows with mastitis. From one of these cows, a dwarf variant with an unknown metabolic disorder was isolated during the same period. Infections with auxo trophic staphylococci were always chronic and proved to be refractory to anti biotic treatment, though the causative micro-organism was highly susceptible to the drugs used as judged byin vitrotests.

The authors acknowledge with appreciation the skilful help of Miss Nili Abramova.
Control of cross-infection in an intensive care unit
Authors: Harris D. M. , Orwin J. M. , Colquhoun J. , Schroeder H. G.
Published: May 2009

In a survey undertaken in an intensive care unit, coliform bacilli were found to be responsible for most infections,Pseudomonas aeruginosaand Staphylococcus aureus being isolated much less frequently. Tracheostomy or endotracheal intubation predisposed to infection, but in our experience intermittent positive pressure ventilation did not significantly affect its incidence. Little cross-infection has occurred, and it has never been possible to incriminate the ventilators in its transmission.

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance we have received from colleagues in the Intensive Therapy Unit and the Department of Bacteriology during the course of this investigation.
Tables of the upper limit to the estimate of the density of contaminating particles in a medium
Authors: Peto S. , Maidment B. J.
Published: May 2009

The theory of assigning an upper limit to the estimate of the degree of contamination of a medium is briefly explained. Tables to save computational labour are presented and their use elucidated by examples.
The influence of antigenic variation on influenza A2 epidemics
Authors: Pereira Marguerite S. , Chakraverty Pratima , Pane A. R. , Fletcher W. B.
Published: May 2009

The antigenic variation of influenza A 2 virus and the antibody present in the population to different variants are described and related to the occurrence of epidemics of influenza in England since 1957.
A comparative study of methods for the diagnosis of respiratory virus infections in childhood
Authors: Sturdy Patricia M. , McQuillin Joyce , Gardner P. S.
Published: May 2009

Nasopharyngeal secretions and cough/nasal swabs were taken from 111 children admitted to hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne with acute lower respiratory disease. A comparison was made between nasopharyngeal secretions and cough/nasal swabs as material for isolation of viruses in tissue culture. These results were, in turn, compared with those obtained by applying a fluorescent antibody technique to the exfoliated cells in the nasopharyngeal secretions for the rapid diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus infection.

More viruses were isolated in tissue culture from nasopharyngeal secretion than from cough/nasal swabs. Further evidence for the superiority of nasopharyngeal secretions was obtained by comparing the virus isolations in the laboratory in 1967 with those in 1968. Respiratory syncytial virus was not only isolated more often but more quickly in tissue culture inoculated with nasopharyngeal secretions.

The fluorescent antibody technique not only provided a diagnosis on the patient's day of admission in 95% of those infected with respiratory syncytial virus but also proved to be as sensitive as the culture of nasopharyngeal secretions and considerably more sensitive than the culture of cough/nasal swabs for the diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus infection.

We wish to acknowledge the invaluable help given us by consultants, medical officers, ward sisters and their staff in the paediatric wards of the Child Health Department. We also wish to thank the technical staff in the Department of Virology for their aid.
Some factors affecting the viability of freeze-thawed T4 bacteriophage
Authors: Steele P. R. M. , Davies J. D. , Greaves R. I. N.
Published: May 2009

The effects of various salts on the viabifity of T4 and T4 Bo phages during freezing and thawing have been studied. The effectiveness of different salts in causing inactivation or protection of phage during freeze—thawing was of the same order as has been observed for their effects on the conformational stability of macromolecules. There were two important contributory factors causing inactivation of phage during freeze—thawing: (i) concentration of solutes during freezing, and (ii) lowering the temperature, without change in salt concentration.

The viability of phage following storage at subzero temperatures was dependent on the storage temperature, the species of ions in the suspending medium and the initial salt concentration. Viability was greatest when phage had been initially suspended in dilute solutions.

Survival of T4 Bo phage, following cooling to subzero temperatures and rewarming, was greater in D2O solutions than in H2O solutions.

It was found that 20% glycerol completely protected against inactivation of T4 Bo phage, suspended in 3·5 molal NaBr, which were cooled to subzero temperatures and rewarmed in the absence of ice. Without added glycerol the viability of T4 Bo phage suspended in 3·5 molal NaBr, which were cooled to −20° C and rewarmed was less than 1%. This protective effect of glycerol is in contradiction to the accepted views of its mode of action in prevention of freezing injury.

This work has been supported in part by grants from the Medical Research Council and the Office of Naval Research under contract F 61052–68-C-0041.
Bactericidal properties of Tego 103 S and Tego 103 G
Authors: Kuipers J. S. , Dankert J.
Published: May 2009

The bactericidal activity of Tego 103S was compared with that of chlorhexidine in ethanol, and Tego 103G with Halamid. The activity was determined on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Achromobacter anitratus by various methods. Tego 103S in 1% solution was less active than chlorhexidine 0·5% in 70% ethanol, and Tego 103 G in 1% solution was less active than Halamid 0·3 %. The presence of serum did not noticeably influence the activity of the Tego preparations.
Studies on the serological relationships between avian pox, sheep pox, goat pox and vaccinia viruses
Authors: Uppal P. K. , Nilakantan P. R.
Published: May 2009

By using neutralization, complement fixation and immunogel-diffusion tests, it has been demonstrated that cross-reactions occur between various avian pox viruses and between sheep pox and goat pox viruses. No such reactions were demonstrated between avian pox viruses and vaccinia virus or between avian pox and sheep pox and goat pox viruses. Furthermore, no serological relationship was demonstrable between vaccinia virus and sheep pox and goat pox viruses.
Vaccination against Hong Kong influenza in Britain, 1968–9: A report to the Medical Research Council Committee on Influenza and other Respiratory Virus Vaccines
Authors: Tyrrell D. A. J. , Buckland Rosemary , Rubenstein D. , Sharpe D. M.
Published: May 2009

Studies of the effect of Hong Kong (HK) influenza vaccine were made in adults and children in Great Britain during 1968 and 1969. The vaccines were administered intramuscularly and also by intranasal spray. The serum antibody response was studied in 284 subjects. Most developed rising titres to vaccine given intramuscularly and few to vaccine given intranasally. Deoxycholate-split vaccine was as potent as conventional whole virus vaccine. Antibody titres were maintained for months. Over 4000 subjects in factories, offices and schools were observed during the epidemic. The incidence of disease was not significantly reduced by either form of vaccination. A survey was made of epidemics in boarding schools in which some of the pupils had been vaccinated, in six with commercial polyvalent vaccine and in five with HK; there was a lower incidence of influenza in two schools vaccinated 2 or 4 weeks earlier with HK vaccine.
A comparison of monovalent Hong Kong influenza virus vaccine with vaccines containing only pre-1968 Asian strains in adult volunteers: A report to the Medical Research Council Committee on Influenza and other Respiratory Virus Vaccines
Authors: Hobson D. , Baker F. A. , Chivers C. P. , Reed Sylvia E. , Sharp D.
Published: May 2009

A total of 1601 adult industrial workers were vaccinated with either monovalent inactivated vaccine of the Hong Kong strain of influenza A virus, or with polyvalent vaccine containing only pre-1968 Asian viruses. Serological investigations on a random sample of volunteers showed that 53/56 (95 %) given Hong Kong vaccine developed a significant rise in specific haemagglutination-inhibiting antibody; final titres were 1/48 or greater in 39 (70%) and the GMT (geometric mean titre) was 96·5. After polyvalent Asian vaccine, 40/67 (60%) also produced antibody against Hong Kong virus, but only 21 (31 %) had final titres of 1/48 or above, and the GMT rose only to 14·1. An intranasal spray of the Hong Kong vaccine in addition to injected Asian vaccine gave no additional increase in antibody.

Each type of vaccine stimulated a recall of pre-existing antibody against Asian viruses. The possible significance of heterologous responses to the two vaccines is discussed.

The incidence of clinical influenza in the trial population was sporadic, and the infection rates were too low to allow any accurate estimate of the protective efficiency of the two vaccines.
Temperate bacteriophages ofEscherichia coliO119:B14
Authors: Kasatiya S. S.
Published: May 2009

Lysogeny was detected in 98·8 % of the 343Escherichia coliO119: B14 strains. A suitable indicator strainE. coliKS was selected to demonstrate the presence of temperate phages in this serotype. A great diversity in the temperate population was observed based on their lytic patterns and neutralization studies. No definite relationship could be established between the biochemical reactions and the flagellar antigens of the lysogenic strain and its temperate phage though some temperate phages released byE. coliO119:B14 strains with certain flagellar antigens did give specific lytic patterns and were serologically identical. Lysogenic strains, which did not release temperate phages spontaneously, were u.v. in-ductible. Cross-reactions with lysogenized colonies which were immune to corresponding phages also confirmed diversity of temperate phages inE. coliO119: B 14.
Differentiation of the serological response toYersinia enterocoliticaandBrucella abortusin cattle
Authors: Corbel M. J. , Cullen G. A.
Published: May 2009

The serological responses of cattle to inoculation withBrucella abortusandYersinia enterocoliticatype IX were compared. Complete cross-reactions were found in serum agglutination, antiglobulin, complement fixation and Rose Bengal plate tests. The cross-reaction betweenBr. abortusandY. enterocoliticaIX was confirmed by immunodiffusion tests. Although antibodies specific for each organism could also be detected by immunodiffusion tests with high titre rabbit or bovine sera, these tests were insufficiently sensitive for routine diagnostic use.

A quantitative Rose Bengal plate test, using Rose Bengal stainedBr. abortusandY. enterocoliticaIX, was developed which enabled the antibody responses to the two organisms to be differentiated. The specificity of this test was confirmed by cross-absorption experiments and its sensitivity was sufficient to permit evaluation of all bovine sera giving positive reactions to the serum agglutination test.
The laboratory transmission of Coxsackie A6 virus by mosquitoes
Authors: Maguire T.
Published: May 2009

Coxsackie A 6 virus, strain V 29, originally isolated from Aedes polynesiensis in Fiji, was found to survive in A. australis for 5 days after intrathoracic injection and for 6 days after feeding on viraemic mice, and in Culiseta tonnoiri for 8 days after feeding.

The virus level in both fed and injected mosquitoes fell steadily after infection and never exceeded the original level.

No virus transmission was obtained in 46 successful second feedings on days 10–14 with A. australis, but three transmissions were obtained with C. tonnoiri, two on day 10 and one on day 13, from 12 successful second feedings.
Serotypes of sex pili
Authors: Lawn A. M. , Meynell Elinor
Published: May 2009

There are situations in which direct observation of the attachment of antibody molecules may be the simplest method of detecting antigen-antibody reactions. Applied to the study of the sex pili determined by a number of transmissible bacterial plasmids, the method has distinguished four serotypes in the F-like class and two in the I-like class. Antibody was usually attached haphazardly to the pili; however, in a few cases a regular periodicity could be observed. When few antibody molecules were attached, they could frequently be individually resolved and in certain antibody-pilus combinations large antibody molecules, tentatively identified as IgM, could be seen to predominate.
A simplified method for the detection of rubella-specific IgM employing sucrose density fractionation and 2-mercaptoethanol
Authors: Caul E. O. , Smyth G. W. , Clarke Suzanne K. R.
Published: May 2009

A simplified method for the detection of rubella-specific IgM in sera was developed involving HAI tests on only one fraction from a sucrose density gradient with and without treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol (2 ME). Slight trailing of IgG into the IgM fraction was shown to occur in patients with high titres of both IgG and IgM, but this could be detected by the 2ME treatment and did not affect the results.

By this test, rubella-specific IgM was found in all of 54 patients with a rash and a rise of rubella HAI antibodies. When the antigen and serum were incubated for 1 hr. before adding the RBC, specific IgM was found in all 51 sera taken between 5 and 40 days after onset, and in about half the sera taken between 42 and 77 days, but in none of 16 people known to have possessed rubella antibodies at least a year previously. When antigen and serum were incubated for 18 hr. before adding the RBC, specific IgM was found in all of 21 sera taken between 2 and 49 days after onset, and in 6 of 11 sera taken between 50 and 117 days, but not in 9 people known to have possessed rubella antibodies at least a year before. The method has been found to be very useful in detecting recent rubella among patients in early pregnancy.
Field trials of calciferol combined with warfarin against wild house-mice (Mus musculus L.)
Authors: Rowe F. P. , Smith F. J. , Swinney T.
Published: May 2009

A combination of calciferol (vitamin D2) and warfarin, each at 0·025% in medium oatmeal bait, failed to control six of seven house-mouse (Mus musculus L.) populations infesting urban and farm buildings. In three further treatments with both calciferol and warfarin at 0·05 % in dehusked canary seed bait plus 5% corn oil, mortality, estimated from the consumption of pre- and post-treatment census bait, ranged between 94·2 and 97·4%. Finally, among sixteen treatments done with calciferol at 0·1% and warfarin at 0·025% in various cereal baits, the best results (97·0–100%) were obtained in six treatments where the bait-base was whole canary seed; this was so whether the poison bait was applied directly or after a 3-day pre-baiting period. It is concluded that calciferol at 0·1 % plus warfarin at 0·025 % is an effective combination against house-mice, especially when used with whole canary seed. The role played by warfarin in the poison mixture needs to be investigated further.
Phage types of Staphylococcus aureus in one hospital 1961–72
Authors: Williams R. E. O. , Dean Beverly A.
Published: May 2009

Between 1961 and 1972, 4547 independent strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from one hospital were examined for phage type. After 1967 there was a decline in the number of strains received, which we consider reflects a decline in the number of infections in the hospital, and which was largely accounted for by a great reduction in the number of strains in four ‘epidemic’ types. Overall, the number of multiple-resistant staphylococci received also declined; this was in part due to the decline in the epidemic types and in part to a reduction in the proportion of multiple-resistant strains of all types.
Spread of Escherichia coli colonizing newborn babies and their mothers
Authors: Bettelheim K. A. , Teoh-Chan Ching Haan , Chandler Mary E. , O'Farrell Sheila M. , Rahamim Layla , Shaw Elizabeth J. , Shooter R. A.
Published: May 2009

Most babies are colonized by the predominant strains of Escherichia coli present in their own mother's faecal flora. Those babies who did not acquire their maternal faecal flora acquired strains of E. coli belonging to a small number of the possible serotypes. Moreover, the same serotypes were found in several babies and other mothers, suggesting spread within the ward. These few strains included some of the O groups which had previously commonly been found as urinary pathogens. These strains may have increased potentialities for colonization of human bowel. Antigenic and biochemical variation was observed among the strains.
Immunity to influenza in ferrets
Authors: McLaren C. , Potter C. W. , Jennings R.
Published: May 2009

The degree of immunity due to cross-reactions between antibody to influenza virus A/Hong Kong/1/68 and A/England/42/72 was studied in ferrets. Ferrets were immunized with the viruses by either live infection or by inoculation with inactivated virus vaccines. The vaccines were given with Freund's incomplete adjuvant or were given to ferrets previously infected with influenza virus A/PR/8/34. As a result of these immunizations the animals all produced similar titres of serum HI antibody to the immunizing virus, although the degree of crossreaction with the other virus strain was variable. After immunization the animals were challenged by infection with an A/Eng/42/72-like virus and their degree of immunity was measured. It was found that the greatest immunity was in ferrets previously infected with the homologous A/Eng/42/72 virus. Animals previously infected with A/HK/68 virus also showed a measurable degree of immunity to A/Eng/42/72 infection, and this was greater than that found in animals given inactivated virus vaccines. The immunity produced by the vaccines was approximately equal, regardless of which vaccine or method of immunization was used. Thus, live infection produced a more effective, broader immunity than did the use of inactivated virus vaccines.
An analysis of the susceptibilities of several populations ofRattus norvegicusto warfarin
Authors: Brooks Joe E. , Bowerman Alan M.
Published: May 2009

An analysis was made of the dose-response of several populations ofRattus norvegicusfed upon baits containing 0·005% warfarin for various numbers of days. Warfarin-susceptible populations fell within a narrow range, with LFP50s and LFP98s (lethal feeding periods in days to obtain 50% and 98% mortalities respectively) of up to 3·0 and 5·0 days respectively. The probability of an individual rat from these populations surviving a six-day feeding period was estimated at 0·003 or less. Populations with responses falling beyond these limits were regarded as warfarin-resistant.

Six of nine populations ofR. norvegicus, from England, Germany and the United States, were determined to be warfarin-susceptible within the narrow limits given above. In all six cases, no animals survived the six-day WHO feeding test for anticoagulant susceptibility. In three populations from the United States, where rats survived six days feeding, their population responses clearly fell outside the measures given above. It is suggested, tentatively, that anticoagulantresistant Norway rat populations be defined as those whose LFP50 and LFP98 exceeds 3·0 and 5·0 days respectively, and in which the probability of an individual animal surviving a six-day feeding upon 0·005% warfarin is 0·01 or more.
Mycoplasmacidal activity of bovine milk for T-mycoplasmas
Authors: Brownlie J. , Howard C. J. , Gourlay R. N.
Published: May 2009

Normal bovine milk and whey was mycoplasmacidal for 6 of the 13 strains of bovine T-mycoplasmas examined. Thein vitroassay used also demonstrated no killing of the human, canine and simian T-mycoplasma strains after 4 hr. incubation. However, there appeared to be some cow-to-cow variation in possession of this activity, and followingE. coliendotoxin stimulation of the mammary gland the activity was considerably reduced.

Whey from three normal cows was fractionated on a Bio-Gel A 1·5 m. column and the mycoplasmacidal activity of the resulting five peaks assayed. Only the second peak, peak B, contained activity and was characterized as the only peak containing bovine IgA. The active component in whey, however, was found to be heat stable at 60° C. for 60 minutes and to pass through a dialysis membrane. This is inconsistent with it being immunoglobulin.
Serological comparison and haemagglutinating activity ofMycoplasma dispar
Authors: Howard C. J. , Gourlay R. N. , Collins Jacqueline
Published: May 2009

A comparison of twelve strains ofMycoplasma disparby the metabolism inhibition and indirect haemagglutination tests has shown them to form a serologically homogeneous group of micro-organisms. The twelve strains vary in their haemagglutinating activity against erythrocytes from different animal species, and certain of the strains can be distinguished by the erythrocytes they agglutinate. Haemagglutination may thus provide a method by which certain strains can be typed. The erythrocyte receptor site does not appear to contain sialic acid and is not sensitive to proteolytic enzymes. On the mycoplasma cell two attachment sites have been demonstrated. One, by which it attaches to sheep and bovine erythrocytes, is a protein or contains a protein moiety. The chemical nature of the other attachment site, by whichM. disparattaches to rabbit erythrocytes, is unknown.
Epidemic Generalised Vaccinia
Authors: Hill Ernest , Ross G. A. Park
Published: May 2009

The occurrence of a general cutaneous eruption consequent upon vaccination, that is to say the inoculation of vaccine virus upon an abraded skin surface, is a possibility generally recognised. But the meagre literature of the subject, and the scanty and brief references in present-day text-books of medicine indicate that the condition is only occasionally encountered.
A Guinea-pig Epizootic Associated with an Organism of the Food-poisoning Group but probably caused by a Filter-passer
Authors: Petrie G. F. , O'Brien R. A.
Published: May 2009

1. An epizootic killing 90% of a stock of 500 guinea-pigs has been described; cultures from these guinea-pigs frequently gave an organism indistinguishable by cultural or serological tests from the B. aertryck and the B. suipestifer.

2. This organism was highly pathogenic when inoculated subcutaneously into guinea-pigs and of low pathogenicity when given to them with food.

3. Healthy contacts put with animals infected subcutaneously or fed with the bacillus did not die.

4. Sterile filtrates of organs of guinea-pigs of the infected stock administered by different methods frequently killed.

5. The evidence definitely suggests that the essential infecting agent in the epizootic was a filter-passer.
The Filtrability of the Components of Alexin
Authors: Strong Paul S. , Culbertson James T.
Published: May 2009

Muir and Browning (1909) were the first to show that alexin is retained by the filter when fresh serum is passed through a Berkefeld candle. Several filtrations are generally required to remove all traces of the alexic activity, although when a fresh candle is employed for each filtration, the third or fourth filtrate is usually devoid of alexic power (Schmidt, 1914). It is not established whether or not the failure of later filtrates to haemolyse sensitised erythrocytes results from the removal by the filter of some one or of all of the known components of alexin from the serum. We have, therefore, studied the effect of Berkefeld filtration upon the alexic activity of fresh human serum with respect to the thermolabile elements, and the thermostable third and fourth components (Whitehead, Gordon and Wormall, 1925; Gordon, Whitehead and Wormall, 1926).
The Trend of Cancer Mortality in Australia
Authors: Cumpston J. H. L.
Published: May 2009

Under the title “Is Cancer Mortality increasing or decreasing?” Wolff (1935) has discussed a problem of world-wide interest. He comes to the conclusion that, in German-speaking countries the risk of dying from cancer is not increasing in the sense that the ordinary man attaches to the phrase. He enquires whether the undoubted absolute increase in cancer mortality may not be a mere function of the ageing of the population, a feature common to all civilised countries; and he concludes that, for Berlin, the altered age structure of the population has caused the increase in the general rate of mortality from cancer, and that—taking certain other factors also into con sideration—it may fairly be concluded that in Berlin the rate of mortality from cancer has declined.
The Pathogenicity of Tanganyika Strains of Brucella abortus and Br. melitensis for a Local Species of Monkey (Cercopithicus sp.)
Authors: Wilson D. E.
Published: May 2009

Various writers (Burnet, 1928; Burnet and Conseil, 1929; Vercellara, 1929; Huddleson and Hallman, 1929; Meyer and Eddie, 1929,1930; and Weigmann, 1931) using strains of Brucella abortus, have shown that this species is very slightly pathogenic for certain species of monkeys, while Br. melitensis possesses a high degree of virulence for the same animal. I have conducted a few experiments with a view to confirming these results, using a bovine abortus and a human melitensis strain isolated in Tanganyika.
A Statistical Examination of the Significance and Comparative Value of Milk Agar for Raw and Pasteurised Milk
Authors: Barkworth Harold
Published: May 2009

The use of 1 per cent, milk agar gives a significant increase in colony numbers for both raw milk and pasteurised milk at all levels of count. There is a marked increase with pasteurised milk on the 1/100 and 1/1000 plates. Milk agar also gives better colony growth, tending to more rapid and accurate counting. With raw milk there is no correlation between the increase and the count on standard agar.
Cancer Of The Scrotum In The Blackburn Registration District, 1837–1929
Authors: Henry S. A. , Irvine E. D.
Published: May 2009

The following report describes the result of an effort to trace and investigate all the cases of cancer of the skin of the scrotum which have occurred in the inhabitants of the Blackburn Registration District during the period 1837–1929. Our enquiries have been directed in particular to the ascertainment of the various occupations followed by the patients affected, with a view to the consideration of carcinogenic agents operating in these occupations.
Note On The Incidence Of Intrathoracic Tumours In Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
Authors: El-Gazayerli Munir
Published: May 2009

There has appeared a considerable amount of literature attesting to the increasing frequency of primary intrathoracic neoplasm arising from the respiratory tract—lung and bronchi. This has emanated from various centres, both in Europe and in America. It had been thought that a similar increase was noticeable in Edinburgh, and some years ago Dr J. Davidson, then pathologist in the Royal Infirmary, did some work on the incidence of the disease as shown by the records of the institution. This was not recorded at the time, and it seemed desirable to extend that work and to publish yearly and quinquennial tables on the lines of Bonser's work, with very brief deductions, in order to ascertain so far as possible the actual state of affairs here and to give figures for comparison with those of other places. It is necessary to define the meaning of the term “intrathoracic tumours”. It has been chosen instead of “primary lung tumours” because in the earlier cases the “oat-celled” carcinomata were regarded as primary mediastinal gland sarcomata and have, therefore, had to be included, a point which recent microscopical examination of some of these earlier cases has shown to be justified. The records from 1904 to 1934 inclusive have been carefully searched, and only those cases have been included which were described as malignant and as arising from lung or mediastinal glands; cases of Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the oesophagus and thymic tumours were excluded.
Plague Conditions in an Urban Area of Kenya (Nairobi Township)
Authors: Roberts J. Isgaer
Published: May 2009

Summary

1. The physical, climatic and economic conditions in Nairobi township are briefly discussed. The factor which appears to be most closely related with the incidence of plague is rainfall. A growing season producing, mainly by virtue of ample rainfall, large crops of cereals, which for various reasons may be kept in storage for long periods and become easily available to the rat population, is invariably followed by plague.

2. The numbers of Indians and Africans are given together with the incidence of the disease in these two types and the localities where the disease originates and persists.

3. The distribution of rat and flea species is outlined and shows an irregular distribution of the species of Xenopsylla. The rat population during outbreaks shows a higher density than during quiescent periods, but not such as to indicate that numerical strength alone is the main factor causing outbreaks of plague in the Rattus population. Higher flea populations follow high densities in the rat population.

4. Attention is drawn to the area where plague originates and persists and to the mixed flea population of the locality. Pumwani and Pangani with almost pure cheopis colonies do not figure in early outbreaks and in them the disease ceases much earlier, but they suffer heavily during epidemics.

Outbreaks of plague in Nairobi are associated with grain storage areas and negligence and improvidence are important contributory factors.

5. The results of the survey have enabled some advance to be made in understanding the distribution of the two main species of Xenopsylla. All Rattus living in earth burrows have been found infested with Xenopsylla cheopis, and Rattus living in roofs or walls with Xenopsylla brasiliensis. These facts explain why such places as Pumwani with its African population has a cheopis colony and the K.A.R. lines have brasiliensis. In the Indian Bazaar with varied facilities for nesting, there is a mixed population of fleas.

The application of these facts to rural areas explains why brasiliensis is almost the sole ectoparasite of Rattus living in thatched roof habitations, and why field rodents such as Mastomys coucha and Arvicanthis abyssinicus living underground are hosts to Xenopsylla cheopis.
A Simple Method for the Preservation of Sera by Desiccation in the Frozen State Without the use of Refrigerants
Authors: Greaves R. I. N. , Adair Muriel E.
Published: May 2009

Summary

A simple process is described for the desiccation of antisera after freezing by rapid evaporation. Freezing has been brought about by the rapid evaporation which takes place in a high vacuum in the presence of P2O5. The violent frothing which takes place when serum is exposed to a high vacuum has been controlled by a preliminary evacuation of the serum in the absence of the drying agent.

No special apparatus except an efficient high vacuum pump is necessary for this process.

This process has been applied for the preservation of (a) anti-horse serum, anti-ox serum, anti-human serum, anti-human globulin and anti-crystalline human albumin sera; (b) anti-sheep cell haemolysin; (c) guinea-pig complement; (d) variousSalmonellaantisera.

Preliminary experiments are described of the application of this method to the drying of bacteria.

We desire to thank Dr P. Hartley for his valuable advice and for showing us his paper prior to publication.