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once or twice over the serum, taking care not to break the surface.
Replace the plug, and then return the wire rod with its pledget to
its tube, which should also be restoppered at once.
Label the serum tube.
Pack the two tubes in the box, taking care to put a little
wadding at each end.
TYPHOID FEVER.
In order to obtain the blood for examination in cases of suspected
Typhoid Fever the following is the mode of procedure:—
The skin of the back of the index or middle finger is first
washed with soap and water and then with alcohol when available.
Meanwhile the finger can be prepared by causing congestion in one
of the usual ways, viz.: by tying a piece of tape, not too tightly,
round the root of the finger. The tightened congested skin, just
above the root of the nail should now be sharply pricked with a
clean needle or fine lancet. A pretty deep puncture can be made
with a sharp needle without causing the patient much pain. Or, if
preferred, the lobe of the ear, after compressing it, may be pricked
to obtain the blood.
Then take one of the small tubes from the test tube and draw
up a sufficient amount of blood to fill, or nearly fill the small bulb,
then draw the blood from the point of the pipette, and seal off in
the flame of a candle or gas, or even of a wax vesta.
Always obtain two such tubes if possible.
Return these to the test tube and reinsert the cotton wadding
plug.
Label the tube containing the pipettes.
Pack the two tubes in a box, taking care to put a little wadding
at each end.
I am, Dear Sir,
Yours faithfully,
(Signed) JOHN J. SKEGG,
Medical Officer of Health.