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absence of tubercle bacilli in the sputum indicates the contagiousness
of the disease, those cases in which organisms
are present in large numbers in the sputum being largely
responsible for the dissemination of the disease. These are
termed "open" cases, and these cases should be as far as
possible prevented from coming into close contact with other
persons.
Sputa examined in this laboratory are first examined
directly. This method demonstrates the presence of the
tubercle bacillus in a certain number of cases. Those sputa
which do not give a positive result are further subjected to a
process of digestion with anti-formin and then placed in the
centrifuge. By this method tubercle bacilli can be detected
when present in extremely small amount. Of the seven
specimens obtained from school children, not one was found
to contain the bacillus tuberculosis. This is explained by
the fact that children usually swallow sputum instead of
expectorating. The specimens brought by their parents
usually consist of saliva and nasal mucus.
Two specimens of pleural effusion were examined for
Tuberculosis with a negative result.
Typhoid Fever.—Examination of the blood for the
Widal reaction was carried out five times, and in each case
with a negative result. The reaction is usually positive in
genuine cases of Typhoid Fever, and is a great help to the
doctor in the diagnosis of doubtful cases. There has been
no case of Typhoid Fever in Ilford since the opening of the
laboratory, and hence only a small number of blood examinations
were necessary.
Ringworm.—Three hundred and eighty-seven examinations
for the presence of Ringworm were made in the laboratory.
Every case of Ringworm occurring in elementary
school children is kept under the close observation of the