AnnualReport-1935

M 118

E. PREPARATION OF VACCINES AND SERA.

(1) Anti-meningococcus serum.--Serum was issued from our stocks to the amount of 3,000 c.c. In the early part of the year, there was issued in addition 2,040 c.c. of serum purchased during the shortage of 1934 from a proprietary house. The amount prepared during the year was 18,600 c.c., the total amount in stock being approximately 30,100 c.c. This brings our stocks up to the amount held at the time of the epidemic of 1932; during this period very nearly the whole of this amount was required for issue. Fortunately our experience shows that this serum retains its potency extremely well under cold storage conditions; thus it is possible to hold large stocks in reserve against the onset of an epidemic.

We have to record the loss of one of our ponies from injuries received while having his hoofs pared at the Jockey Club Stables. A new animal has been purchased in his place.

(2) Gonococcus vaccine.-The total amount issued was 5,540 c.c., made up as follows:-

This is approximately the same amount used during 1934.

(3) Anti-rabic vaccine. The pious hope expressed in the previous Annual Report that the record of that year would not soon again be reached was doomed to be shattered, and we have again to report a new high point of activity in this Department. Canine rabies was still prevalent, moreover infection was present on the Island as well as on the Mainland. Of 44 animal brains examined, 12 were found to contain Negri bodies. Three fatal human cases occurred. The first received no treatment with prophylactic vaccine. The others died after receiving the routine course of vaccine. The policy being steadily pursued by this Institute in anti-rabic treatment is towards a higher concentration of brain substance as experience in larger centres appears to warrant it. In pursuance of this our dosage was raised in 1933 from 1% to 2%. In the coming year it is again proposed to increase the concentration of brain substance from 2% to 4% in the treatment of Class III and Class IV bites. This brings our treatment practically into line with that pursued by the Indian Institutes, whose results appear to warrant the increased dosage. Nevertheless some of the large Institutes in the East still use vaccines containing 1% and 2% of brain substance.