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159
During the year the following research work was carried out:—The efficiency of the Zondek
Ascheim reaction and a g;neral investigation of Weil's disease (in conjunction with Dr. Alston);
and the classification and spread of bronchial tumours (in conjunction with Mr. Nelson).
Dr. J. E. McCartney, director of research and pathological services, states that
Dr. Mair has continued his investigation at the Northern group laboratory on the
varieties of the diphtheria bacillus, and the correlation of the different types with
differences in clinical severity. A preliminary account of the results obtained was
given at a meeting of the Fever Group of the Society of Medical Officers of Health
in January, 1934. Since then the work has been extended to include a serological
investigation of the different types, and for the last six months all strains isolated
from acute cases of diphtheria have been submitted to serological study. This
work is, however, not yet completed.
Dr. Begg, of the North-Eastern hospital, is engaged on an investigation into
the carbohydrate tolerance of patients in severe diphtheria by blood sugar estimations.
He found that marked changes in the sugar tolerance curve occur in severe
diphtheria, and the degree of these changes is a useful guide in prognosis, but so
far he is unable to show that the administration of insulin has any effect on the
course of the disease.
The biological examination of samples of milk under the Milk and Dairies
(Consolidation) Act, 1915, was continued at the Southern group laboratory. During
the year, 1,765 samples of milk were examined; this is a decrease of 957 over
the previous year. The samples were taken from churns or tanks arriving in
London by rail or road, and a small proportion from the milk supplies to the
Council's hospitals and institutions. The results are set out in vol. III., part I.,
of this report. Briefly, they are as follows:—
Total number of samples received 1,765
Number of incomplete examinations 90
Number reported on 1,675
Number of samples found tuberculous 196
Percentage of positives 11.7
During the year, 983 of these samples of raw milk were also examined for the
presence of brucella abortus. It was found that 41.5 per cent, showed the presence
of this infection.
The preparation of adult serum for measles prophylaxis was extensively carried
out during the year in connection with the epidemic of measles. Outfits for
bleeding are supplied to the various hospitals, etc., and the blood so obtained was
sent to the laboratory where the serum was separated, filtered, tested for sterility,
and ampouled in 10 c.c. amounts. The technique used was that described in the
report published by the Council on the measles epidemic, 1931-1932. The quantity
of serum issued was 2,733 ampoules of 10 c.c., compared with 3,200 in the previous
epidemic. Details of its use and of the results obtained will be published in the
report on the measles epidemic, 1933-34, which is in course of preparation.
Convalescent measles serum, when obtainable, was also prepared, and during
the year 396 x 5 c.c. ampoules and 297 x 10 c.c. ampoules were issued.
The " follow-up " examination of urine samples from discharged scarlet fever
cases is being continued for the Park hospital. The results obtained are contained
in the report on the treatment of scarlet fever at the Park hospital by the medical
superintendent, Dr. H. S. Banks (see p. 82).
Dr. Evelyn M. Holmes concluded her investigations on the cultural isolation
and typing of tubercle bacilli. Details of the method and the main conclusions of
her work were given in last year's report. A full account was published in the
Journal of State Medicine, 1934, Vol. XLII., No. 10.
Voluntary
Workers.
Dr. Adolf Beck, who was sent to the laboratory in April by Dr. F. L. Golla, of
the Central pathological laboratory of the mental hospitals department, is investigating,
under a Rockefeller Foundation grant, bacteriological and serological
problems in mental diseases.