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182
BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
The Bacteriological Laboratory, situated at Arlington Lodge,
Wanless Road, Loughborough Junction, has again proved most
useful during 1902—having been much used by the Medical
Practitioners practising within the Borough. All examinations
are carried out free of cost to the Medical Practitioners.
The Laboratory was originally fitted up by the late Vestry
in 1899, and since then (up to the end of 1902) 2,037* examina
tions have been made, viz.:—Tuberculosis 565, Typhoid Fever
385, Diphtheria 1072, and others 15 (ice-creams, urine, etc.).
During 1902, 466 examinations have been made, and the subjoined
details are given in connection therewith:—
Tuberculosis—
212 samples of sputa from doubtful tuberculosis cases have
been examined, and in 108 (i.e., 50.9 per cent.) tubercle bacilli
have been found. The importance of tuberculosis cases being
diagnosed at as early a date as possible is now acknowledged by
all physicians, as in the early stages this disease may be arrested,
if not cured, by proper treatment. In 104 instances (i.e., 49.1 per
cent.), no tubercle bacilli were found. In two instances, pneumococci
(of Friedländer) were found.
The increase in the number of samples submitted is due to the
Council having made Consumption (with tuberculous expectorations)
voluntarily notifiable throughout the Borough on (and
after) June 1st, 1902.
Typhoid Fever—
91 samples of blood from suspected Typhoid cases have been
examined, and in 34 (i.e., 37.4 per cent.) the characteristic
Widal reaction has been obtained, although in 9 of the cases
(i.e., 9.9 per cent.) this reaction was but slightly or feebly marked.
Experience shows that, with a well-marked reaction obtained with
a high dilution of the suspected blood-serum (1-60 to 1-100), the
Widal test is most trustworthy, and exceedingly useful, conse-
*1899—389; 1900—703; 1901-479; 1902—466; Total-2037.
Vide Special Report in Appendix.