Sessional_Paper_1897 — Page 447

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In December 1895, Messrs. A. S. WATSON & Co., L.D., wrote and informed me that they would not require any more lymph, accordingly since that date I have distributed it myself.

It was not found possible to open the Institute this winter until late in December, owing to the fact that the lymph obtainable was quite inert.

I commenced operations in October with some lymph that I brought down from the Government Depôt in Japan, but it was not until I had obtained, through the courtesy of the British Consul at Saigon, some perfectly fresh calf lymph from the "Institut de Microbiologie" there that we were able to re-establish our supply.

The Institute was opened on the 24th December, 1896, (see Government Notification No. 510). Since that date 3,895 capillary tubes aud 123 bulb" tubes of lymph have been issued, of this number 3,036 have been sold realizing $989.80.

Among those thus supplied, in addition to the Medical Practitioners in the town and the local drug stores, are the following:-

H.M. Flagship Centurion.

H.M.S. Humber.

"

Swift.

Immortalite.

37

Rattler.

35

Grafton.

)?

Eolus. Firebrand.

Alacrity.

U.S.S. Machias.

U.S. Flagship Olympia.

H.E.I.M.S. Kaiser, Irene and Princess Wilhelm.

H.E.S.M.S. Arcona.

Russian Cruiser Sabiaka.

R.M.S. Empress of India, and

Army Medical Staff.

The remainder having been distributed amongst the Tung Wah, Alice Memorial and Gaol Hos- pitals and the Italian and French Convents, I have received word from the Naval Doctors, Civil Practitioners and Public Vaccinators that the lymph has taken well.

The Institute consists of a series of buildings situated near the Kennedy Road between the Tram and the Garden Road Nullah.

There is a suitable stable, well ventilated and drained, with stalls sufficient to accommodate 20 calves, quarters for a caretaker and the necessary out-buildings.

The staff has consisted of myself, one Assistant and one caretaker,

In the winter of 1895 and 1896 Mr. Souza was the Assistant, he having left the Colony, at my request, Mr. SYDNEY, one of the Wardmasters at the Lunatic Asylums, was appointed Assistant on 2nd November, 1896, and another coolie was appointed on the same date to assist the caretaker :

Assistant,

One Caretaker, One Coolie,.

·

$10.00 a month.

8.00 6.00

The calves we have obtained through the Inspector of Markets, and their age has been from 7 to 12 months, female calves always being used.

The calves are kept under observation for a few days before vaccination, careful records of their temperature, &c. being kept, after the lymph has been collected they are housed for a few days longer and then returned to the Slaughter House, $1.00 being paid to the contractor for the loan of each calf.

The fifth day after vaccination I have found the best for collecting the lymph.

Pure sterilised glycerine, free from acid, has been found the best vehicle to preserve and keep the vaccine moist.

The glycerized pulp is generally recoguised as the best form of calf vaccine and is in almost universal use.

An emulsion was also made with vaseline but it did not prove so potent. The amount of lymph produced since I have taken charge is 6,392 tubes.

The amount realised from the sale of lymph since I took charge is $1,143.60, if to this be added l the value of the tubes supplied free to the various Hospitals, Convents, Charitable Institutions and Public Vaccinators, it would give a total amount of $2,026.20.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Dr. PH. B. C. AYRES, C.M.G.,

Colonial Surgeon.

J. M. ATKINSON, Superintendent.