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in the newly dyed fur. In course of time this is likely to disappear by volatilization.
If this were so the use of the fur would not be followed by any harmful
effects. Exposure to bright sunlight should be useful in removing any volatile
poison.
The furs in question are known generally as " coney beaver," and are produced
in various shades of colour. The varieties mainly implicated were found to be
those of the lighter shades, the black-coloured furs being apparently harmless.
The cause of this may be ascribed to the process of dyeing, and when the furs are
completely oxidised by the action of the paraphenylenediamine they become black
in colour ; the intermediate processes produce the lighter shades. As far as could
be ascertained the dyes came ready made from Germany.
The Ministry of Health conferred with the London Fur Traders: Association
with a view to obviating the risks entailed in the wearing of the types of fur in
question. During the winter season 1923-4, only one complaint of skin disease after
wearing a fur has been brought to the notice of the Council's public health department,
and it may be assumed that the measures taken to prevent a recurrence of
the mischief have been effective.
Report of the Bacteriological Laboratory.
During 1923, over 6,000 specimens were examined as compared with about
8,500 in 1922, the reduction being almost entirely accounted for by the much smaller
number of diphtheria investigations required in consequence of the decline in incidence
of the disease from 15,287 cases notified in London in 1922 to 10,301 in 1923.
The material for examination is largely represented by cultures from the throat
and nose or ear arising from investigations of diphtheria outbreaks in the schools
or of contacts among members of the Council's staff ; suspected ringworm hairs
from school children, and specimens, mainly cerebro-spinal fluid, sent from various
institutions. For this work over 9,500 tubes and plates of various media prepared
by the laboratory staff were required.
Details of Examinations.
(i.) Diphtheria.—3,000 cultures from throat and nose or ear—
252 or 8.4 per cent. morphological diphtheria bacilli found.
129 or 4.3 per cent. suspicious organisms.
2,619 or 87.3 per cent. negative.
Included in the above were 13 cultures of discharging ears, which yielded morphological
diphtheria bacilli in three cases and suspicious diphtheroid organisms in
10 cases.
(ii.) Ringworm.—2,850 hair specimens examined. 1,502 proved negative
and 8 suspicious. In 1,333 ringworm fungus was found—81 per cent, being
the small spore variety (Microsporon Audouini) and 19 per cent, the large spore
(Megalosporon Endothrix). In seven specimens favus fungus (Achorion
Schonleinii) was found.
(iii.) Conjunctivitis and ophthalmia neonatorum.—40 smears from eye
discharges were examined. Gonococci were identified in four or 10 per cent.
The majority of the remainder showed the presence of pus cells and various
gram positive cocci.
(iv.) Cerebro-spinal Fluid.—84 specimens were examined and reported on
chemically, cytologically and bacteriologically. 43 were sent from Fulham
Infirmary, 32 from St. James' Hospital, Balham, 8 from St. Pancras Infirmary,
and one was taken in the course of a consultation visit. The material obtained
by lumbar puncture was sent for report and confirmation or otherwise from cases
provisionally classed as :—
(a) Tuberculous meningitis—29 specimens from 27 cases. The suggested
diagnosis was :—(a) Confirmed by laboratory report in 8 by finding