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10
Ur. Copeman in this country showed some years ago
that glycerinated lymph possessed many advantages; but the
German Government have extended his investigations, and have
turned the results to practical account.
It has been proved by competent bacteriologists that, by
the admixture to Calf Lymph of 50 per cent, solution of pure
Glycerine in sterile water, and storage of the lymph material in
tubes, under proper precautions for a term of several weeks, the
preparation remains quite active as vaccine, yet all disease producing
micro-organisms which may be in the lymph are destroyed or
rendered harmless.
SCARLET FEVER.
Ninety three cases were notified, but not a single death
occurred. In 1896 we had only one death.
This is a remarkably low death rate, and is highly satisfactory.
DIPHTHERIA.
Eighty nine cases were notified, and twenty one deaths
occurred during the year.
Most of the cases were of a purely sporadic form, viz.:—
attacking only one or two in a house, and not spreading. In a few
of the houses where deaths occurred defective drainage was found
and .at once rectified.
The long continued inhalation of diluted sewer air tends to
produce a general loss of health, especially in children; shown
in various ways, and one of these symptoms may be sore throat;
or there may be only a condition of depressed vitality, which
offers slight resistance to attacks of acute disease.
Occasionally a severe form of tonsillitis attacks the
occupants of a badly drained house; this form is generally recognised
as " Sewer air Throat." These throats are contagious and