504
The Vaccine Institute.
During the year 1904, the preparation and output of small-pox vaccine was efficiently maintained. The following figures show the extent of the work done. during the year :-
1. Number of Calves inoculated,
2. Expenditure in Calves,
3. Number of Tubes prepared,
4. Value of 1904 Lymph,
5. Number of Tubes issued,
6. Value of Tubes issued,
7. Tubes issued free of charge,
8. Value of Tubes issued free of charge,
9. Tubes paid for,
10. Value of Tubes paid for,
17
$100
5,284
$2,642
6,893 $2,215.50 4,709
$1,442.00
2,184
$773.50
These figures show the following increase in the value of the work done dur- ing 1904 :--
1903.
(1.) The number of Calves inoculated has been diminished by over 40%.
2.) The expenditure in Calves has been diminished by 50%.
(3.) The number of Tubes issued has been increased by 1,532 over that of
(4.) An increase in value of the Tubes issued by $368.
Out of the 17 Calves inoculated, one died. The cause of death of this animal was a form of septicemia, common in Hongkong.
It is a matter of common experience that for the preparation of small-pox vaccine, buffalo calves give the most uniform results. The lymph and adjacent granulation tissue have to be collected about the end of the fourth day. On an average about 400 tubes per calf are obtained.
Indian and Chinese calves have also been experimented with, in view of the fact that these animals can be more readily obtained for the preparation of the virus, and at a lower price. My expectations, however, have not been realised. Indian calves occasionally yield a plentiful supply of lymph. The results are inconstant. Chinese calves do not give good results; frequently no reaction. whatever is obtained after thorough vaccination. Buffalo calf vaccine produces but a slight reaction in Indian and Chinese calves, and vice versa. One strain of vaccine may be converted into the other, but the strongest, most constant, and longest yield of lymph is generally obtainable by the regular use of buffaloes.
Considerable care has been taken to keep np the efficiency of the vaccine. It would appear that vaccine prepared in Hongkong, only retains its virulence for one month or six weeks.
Generally speaking, the vaccine has given satisfaction to all who have used it.
Issues of Vaccine during 1904.
Vaccine paid for,
The Victoria Gaol,
The Tung Wah Hospital,
The Civil Hospital,
The Alice Meinorial Hospital,
The New Territory,
The Sanitary Department,
The Infectious Diseases Hospital,
Total,
2,184
1,500
1,500
1,800
248
110
21
30
6,893
On the completion of the Bacteriological Institute, it is proposed to prepare all the vaccine there. There will be ample accommodation for the calves, and a room will be set apart for the manufacture of the lymph. A complete set of appa- ratus, similar to that used in the Lister Institute, in London, has been ordered from England. The use of these apparatus will greatly facilitate the manufacture of the vaccine, and insure, as far as possible, the intimate mixing of the lymph and glycerine, and a uniform consistence of the fluid. Again, the use of this new process will obviate the introduction of so large a number of extraneous mucro- organisms which constantly reach the vaccine when prepared by hand.