M 74
A large number of Malaria parasites were identified for the malaria investigations carried out by the Assistant Medical Officer of Health in schools and the Medical Officer in charge of Lai Chi Kok Prison.
The Medical Officer in charge of the Victoria Gaol and Mortuary was assisted with differential blood counts in Beri-beri cases, and by the identification of organisms in cases of meningitis.
Experiments were carried out with the calf lymph prepared in the Institute as regards its efficiency, using rabbits for intradermal inoculation; it was found to be fully efficient in a dilution of 1 in 100, in a dilution of 1 in 1,000 it gave a very high percentage of positive reaction.
This question of lymph dilution is being further investigated and will be reported upon later.
PREPARATION OF CALF LYMPH
The preparation of fresh calf lymph was carried on during the cooler months of the year.
The supply of Buffalo calves was slightly above that of last year, but is still short of the demand. The number of calves vaccinated during the year was 117, an increase of 27 over the previous year.
The average yield per calf was from 80 to 100 cc. of the finished product, glycerinated lymph.
The quantity of lymph issued during the year was 13,350 cc. an increase of 2,227 cc. over last year.
The lymph was issued in capillary tubes and also in collapsible metal tubes as required.
The quantity of lymph in stock at the end of the year was 4,342.7 cc. calculated sufficient to vaccinate 130,281 persons.
The increase in the lymph issue was due largely to the carrying out of two vaccination campaigns by the St. John's Ambulance Association in the year under review, owing to the prevalence of small-pox in the Colony.
The value of the free issue of lymph was $23,469.80, an increase of $2,506.10 over last year.
The Institute was able to supply the local demands for lymph, also those of the Naval and Military forces during the year.