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169
During 1905, a total of 1,871 bacteriological examinations
have been carried out, dealing with 181 sputa (suspected consumption),
33 bloods (suspected typhoid fever), 1,644 throat and
nose, membranes and discharges (suspected diphtheria) and 16
other materials (e.g., 12 milks, 1 urine and 3 pus).
Details are as follow :—
Tuberculosis—
181 samples of sputa from doubtful tuberculosis cases have
•been examined, and in 36 (i.e., 19'9 per cent.) tubercle bacilli
have been found. In 145 instances (i.e., 80*1 per cent.), no
tubercle bacilli were found. In 2 instances the pneumococcus
(Friedlanderi) was found; in 3 lung tissue ; and in 3 pus cells.
Consumption (with tuberculous expectorations) was made
voluntarily notifiable throughout the Borough on (and after)
June 1st, 1902. By means of bacteriological examinations,
greater exactitude in diagnosis is secured.
Typhoid Fever—
33 samples of blood from suspected Typhoid Fever cases
have been examined, and in 6 (i.e., 18'2 per cent.) the characteristic
Widal reaction was obtained, although in 2 of the cases
(i.e., 33'3 per cent.) the reaction was but slightly (or feebly)
marked. In 27 cases (i.e., 81*8 per cent.) 110 reaction was
obtained. A high dilution of blood-serum is used (1-60 to
1-100).
Diphtheria—
1,644 samples of throat and nose membranes and secretions
from doubtful Diphtheria cases have been examined, and in 111
(i.e., 6'8 per cent.) the true (Klebs-Lceffler) bacilli have been
obtained. In 40 instances (i.e., 36 04 per cent.) the KlebsLceffler
bacilli were obtained in pure cultivation—i.e., without