M 113
The 45 strains studied form a practically complete cross-section of the epidemic, as they were maintained routinely throughout and such loss as of course occurred through death of cultures was similarly equally spread throughout the period. The results obtained by this study are being applied in the preparation of the antimeningococcic serum for the supply of which we are responsible.
An investigation is being carried out on the presence and localization of Negri bodies in the brains of rabbits inoculated with the "fixed" rabies virus used in the Institute. The supposed site of election of these bodies in certain areas of the mid-brain recently described by workers in South Africa is being subjected to test on a series of brains. The progress of this work is necessarily slow owing to the restricted supply of the material for study but it is being pursued steadily and the results will be reported in due course.
During the year all strains of B. dysenteriae Flexner obtained by culture from stools were kept by subculture, and a beginning was made late in the year on their serological classification. The research planned consists of, firstly, eliminating all strains inagglutinable to a Flexner polyvalent serum, secondly, placing the remainder as far as possible among their particular type-group (V, W, X, Y, & Z, etc.) and finally, subjecting the inagglutinables and any doubtfully reacting strains to more detailed examination in the hope of uncovering further Flexner strains of an antigenically separate type. Later, perhaps, any such strains encountered may be compared with those of a similar nature recently isolated and studied by Boyd in India. (Jr. R.A.M.C. 59: Nos. 4-5, 241 and 321, 1932).
(6) General. The question of the provision of increased room for the work of the Institute will have to be faced in the not far distant future. The steady and continuous increase in the volume of diagnostic work being done and the consequent expansion of the activities of the staff will demand this. Already one of the two main laboratories is far too congested for efficient work and there is absolutely no possibility of extra space being found. It must not be forgotten that exactly one quarter of our laboratory space was handed over to accommodate the Malaria Bureau about two years ago, so that the Institute is precisely that much worse off than it was at that time and this with almost double the amount of diagnostic work to be taken care of. Either the present building will have to be added to (and thus perpetuated) or else a new building in more suitable surroundings will have to be built for the purpose.
The isolated position of the Institute from the point of view of clinical material is an immense drawback. The absence of such contact robs us of much possibility of research, the lack of which results in a tendency towards an academic and detached
M 113
The 45 strains studied form a practically complete cross- section of the epidemic, as they were maintained routinely throughout and such loss as of course occurred through death of cultures was similarly equally spread throughout the period. The results obtained by this study are being applied in the pre- paration of the antimeningococcic serum for the supply of which we are responsible.
An investigation is being carried out on the presence and localization of Negri bodies in the brains of rabbits inoculated with the "fixed" rabies virus used in the Institute. The sup- posed site of election of these bodies in certain areas of the mid- brain recently described by workers in South Africa is being subjected to test on a series of brains. The progress of this work is necessarily slow owing to the restricted supply of the material for study but it is being pursued steadily and the results will be reported in due course.
During the year all strains of B. dysenteriae Flexner obtain- ed by culture from stools were kept by subculture, and a begin- ning was made late in the year on their serological classification. The research planned consists of, firstly, eliminating all strains inagglutinable to a Flexner polyvalent serum, secondly, placing the remainder as far as possible among their particular type- group (V.W.X.Y. & Z. etc.) and finally, subjecting the inagglutin- ables and any doubtfully reacting strains to more detailed ex- amination in the hope of uncovering further Flexner strains of an antigenically separate type. Later, perhaps, any such strains encountered may be compared with those of a similar nature recently isolated and studied by Boyd in India. (Jr. R.A.M.C. 59: Nos. 4-5, 241 and 321, 1932).
(6) General. The "ques ion of the provision of increased room for the work of the Institute will have to be faced in the not far distant future. The steady and continuous increase in the volume of diagnostic work being done and the consequent expansion of the activities of the staff will demand this. Already one of the two main laboratories is far too congested for efficient work and there is absolutely no possibility of extra space being found. It must not be forgotten that exactly one quarter of our laboratory space was handed over to accommodate the Malaria Bureau about two years ago, so that the Institute is precisely that much worse off than it was at that time and this with almost double the amount of diagnostic work to be taken care of. Either the present building will have to be added to (and thus per- petuated) or else a new building in more suitable surroundings will have to be built for the purpose.
The isolated position of the Institute from the point of view of clinical material is an immense drawback. The absence of such contact robs us of much possibility of research, the lack of which results in a tendency towards an academic and detached
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