IX.
M 55
SCIENTIFIC.
A. Annual Report of the Government Bacteriological Institute.
(1) Introductory.
293. Administrative.-There is nothing to record under this heading for the current year.
294. Buildings and equipment. (a) The only alteration to the existing buildings was the addition of another stall in the stable for the accommodation of an extra pony, which we hope to obtain in the near future.
(b) No addition to the permanent equipment was made during the year.
295. Library. The following book was added to the library:-
"Mallory's Pathological Technique", By F. B. Mallory, 1938.
296. General. The resources of our staff were strained to the utmost this year by the occurrence of a smallpox epidemic of fair proportions during the first months of the year, and a small cholera epidemic in the summer. The necessity for the production of large quantities of prophylactic preparations became urgent; nevertheless, in spite of difficulties all demands for lymph and vaccine were met. In addition to the work involved in this branch of activity, the general diagnostic service of the Institute proceeded with unabated intensity, and the volume recorded is, as in former years, greater than ever. It was found necessary to abandon one or two procedures which had been added to our routine in order to economise on the time of the staff, as well as our materials. This has meant the abandonment of clot culture for typhoid and a reversion to the use of a single medium for diphtheria diagnosis instead of the use of two different media. Permission has been obtained from Government for the addition of two more officers to our staff in 1939; this should enable us to organize our work on a somewhat more efficient basis than heretofore.
(2) Protozoology and Helminthology.
297. Blood films for malaria.-Eight thousand seven hundred and sixteen blood films were examined for the parasites of malaria. Three thousand four hundred and fifty contained parasites. The type classification is shown in the appended table.
BLOODS EXAMINED FOR MALARIA,
European Indian Chinese Total Sub-tertian 47 98 1,469 1,614 Benign-tertian 53 98 1,127 1,278 Quartan 1 0 137 138 Unclassified 18 54 282 354 Multiple infection 3 0 63 66 Negative 551 336 4,379 5,266 Grand total 672 590 7,454 8,716298. Filaria. Thirteen films were examined for filarial embryos and seven positives found. The infecting parasite was M. bancrofti in every instance.