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78
BACTERIOSCOPIC EXAMINATIONS.
The facilities which your Council gave to private medical
practitioners to obtain free bacterioscopic examinations in
suspected cases of diphtheria, phthisis, and typhoid fever have
been greatly appreciated.
During the year 144 specimens were examined, the
details of which are as follows:—
Diphtheria.- In 34 instances diphtheria bacilli were
present, and 72 specimens gave a negative result. In one case
the result was doubtful, necessitating a further specimen, which
also gave a negative result.
Phthisis.— Of the 29 specimens of sputa submitted for
examination tubercle bacilli was found in only 7.
Typhoid Fever.— Of the 6 specimens examined 2 were
proved to be from typhoid patients.
Other Specimens.— Malaria, 1 specimen was examined,
the result proving negative.
Three tins of condensed milk were submitted, the
bacteriological examination confirming my opinion that the
milk was unfit for dietetic use.
Of all the above examinations the system has been
most useful in regard to diphtheria. In 2 cases the medical
attendants submitting the swabs were of the opinion that, but
for these examinations, the patients would not have been certified
as suffering from diphtheria, and the clinical symptoms were
so exceedingly slight that they would have been justified in
allowing the patients to mix with other persons. On the other
hand, in 72 cases where diphtheria was suspected, a negative
result was obtained, the clinical symptoms subsequently proving
the bacterioscopic examinations to be correct.