ROYAL COMMISSION ON TUBERCULOSIS.
1
395 When the Reformers were there tents, canvas lean-to’s, and one iron building with wood floor were put up. They had their own food brought in and liquor, and even after sentence the only restriction laid on them was curtailment of libertv outside the gaol and check on their visitors. They had absolutely free intercourse with their fellow prisoners. The warders are very few in number, especially at night, and consequently there was a little difficulty at first about cases of diarrhoea beginning in the night, the cells and rooms all being locked. "The water-supply is the same as the town, probably as perfect as could be thought of. The electric light company of the town supply lights. The town pail system also pre- vails. That the present accommodation and system would not do in Northern Europe is undoubted, but in this warm climate, where everybody is only in a room for the actual hours of sleep, I do not think the position is quite the same, and anyone trying to make a grievance of the condition of affairs when the Reformers were here would not be borne out by the Reformers themselves. "I saw the Reformers frequently, and the only complaint I ever heard was their curtailment of liberty ; in all other respects they declared themselves very well treated. They suffered from no complaint not more prevalent in the town, and I think enjoyed better health than a similar number of citizens." " Our correspondent adds to his letter that he does not write in any way in support of the Government, and that for that matter he is a personal friend of many of the Reformers. But he has been unable to shut his eyes to the fact that there has been a great desire to abuse the Boer Government at every turn. In thanking him for his information he will observe that we have discarded his suggestion that we should 11 share the material," as we consider that in a matter where there have already been so much difference of opinion and so much difference in detailed description our readers will be pleased to get first-hand information from someone on the "’pot not touched up either in response to political feeling or an editorial love of elegant expression. He also wishes us not to publish his name, hence the form in which we have printed his communication. - ANTI-CHOLERAIC INOCULATIONS. DR. W. J. SIMPSON, the health officer of Calcutta, who is a most indefatigable and energetic worker in the cause of public hygiene and applied medical and sanitary science, has just furnished to the chairman of the Calcutta Corporation a document embodying the results of the anti-choleraic inocu- lation work as carried on in that city during the past two years, which also includes observations on the results obtained elsewhere in India. Dr. Simpson appears to have g6ne into the subject with conscientious care and ability and has certainly succeeded in making out a strong case for continuing the anti-choleraic grants so that the inoculations may become one of the agencies by which the Health Department may combat cholera in Calcutta. His report mainly consists of a number of facts and figures which require to be thoughtfully studied, for the document does I not easily lend itself to brief analysis. We may, however, succinctly refer to some points which will indicate its nature and the trend of its teaching. In the first place we may say that the inoculations which have been so extensively practised in India have without exception proved harmless. From a table embodying all the observations made since the inoculations were introduced into Calcutta up to the end of J’me last it appears that in 77 houses there were 89 deaths irom cholera, 77 being among the uninoculated and 12 among the inoculated. Comparing the respective liability of the inoculated and uninoculated to cholera attacks we find that - during the first four days after inoculation cholera occurred among both classes alike, though in a smaller degree among the inoculated. After the first four days there was a period of over a year when there was almost absolute freedom al!l0l!g the inoculated, awhile among the non-inoculated in the same houses cases were occurring during the whole year ; after this period of one year cases began to re- appear among both classes-inoculated and uninoculated. The next point is that as the protection from inoculations with very weak doses of anti-cholera, vaccine was found to disappear in a comparatively short time, the strength of these was increased towards the end of 1894 with the object of producing a more lasting effect. The figures are not yet available to show whether these latter have had the desired results. Dr. Simpson incidentally mentions that when he was in Berlin Professor Koch expressed himself satisfied with the value of the inoculations made in India, and alluded to the corroborative evidence obtained by a series of experiments instituted by himself, Professor Pfeiffer, and Dr. Kolle as to the protective properties of anti-cholera inoculations. Experiments with the blood serum of inoculated persons had a rapid and absolutely destructive effect on the comma bacillus, exceeding in this respect by 200 times the power of the serum of ordinary individuals. Dr. Simpson also mentions that Professor Klein had informed him that he had now perfectly con- vinced himself that the comma bacillus is the causal agent of cholera-a doctrine to which he was at one time, as is well known, strongly opposed. We trust our readers will peruse Dr. Simpson’s instructive paper for themselves, but ’we would venture to make a few remarks that occur to us at the moment. We are entirely with Dr. Simpson in thinking that the subject of anti-cholera inoculation requires to be prosecuted further and wish him every success. We would call his attention to the results of some recent experimental investigations by Roux, Metch- nikoff, and Salembini at the Pasteur Institute in con- nexion with this subject. One of the difficulties in studying this disease is the necessity of making sure that it is really cholera which is artificially induced in the experi- mental inoculations of the lower animals. In dealing with statistical evidence it is scarcely necessary to add that we require to work with large numbers and over extended periods of time to avoid error and the liability to fluctuation where smaller numbers are concerned, and to bear in mind also the value of positive as compared with negative evidence. But setting aside these points a practical difficulty occurs to us in carrying out these anti-choleraic inoculations. Assuming that we have a perfectly reliable anti-choleraic agent if its protective pro- perties only last a year it will be difficult indeed to apply it annually to a teeming population like that of India, and every effort must be made to overcome this difficulty. ROYAL COMMISSION ON TUBERCULOSIS. THE Second Royal Commission on Tuberculosis held its first sitting on the 29th ult. The Commissioners present were Sir Herbert Maxwell, chairman, Dr. Thorne Thorne, C,B., Professor Brown, C.B., Mr. Shirley Murphy, Mr. Clare, Mr. Speir, Mr. Trench, and Dr. T. M. Legge, the secretary, No witnesses were called, the meeting being only of a pre liminary character. It is understood that at its close an adjournment took place till after the recess. GLOUCESTER AND SMALL-POX. ACCORDING to the Registrar-General’s quarterly return, which has just been published, of the total of 319 deaths from small-pox recorded in England and Wales during the months of June, July, and August, no less than 277 occurred in the city of Gloucester. The number of deaths last quartei in that city from diseases other than small-pox was 120 ; the mortality caused by small-pox was therefore equal to an addition of 231 per cent. to this number. We commend this fact, the accuracy of which is vouched for by the Registrar-
Transcript of ROYAL COMMISSION ON TUBERCULOSIS.
395
When the Reformers were there tents, canvas lean-to’s, and oneiron building with wood floor were put up. Theyhad their own food brought in and liquor, and even aftersentence the only restriction laid on them was curtailment oflibertv outside the gaol and check on their visitors. Theyhad absolutely free intercourse with their fellow prisoners.The warders are very few in number, especially at night, andconsequently there was a little difficulty at first about cases ofdiarrhoea beginning in the night, the cells and rooms all
being locked."The water-supply is the same as the town, probably as
perfect as could be thought of. The electric light companyof the town supply lights. The town pail system also pre-vails. That the present accommodation and system wouldnot do in Northern Europe is undoubted, but in this warmclimate, where everybody is only in a room for the actualhours of sleep, I do not think the position is quite the same,and anyone trying to make a grievance of the condition ofaffairs when the Reformers were here would not be borne outby the Reformers themselves."I saw the Reformers frequently, and the only complaint
I ever heard was their curtailment of liberty ; in all otherrespects they declared themselves very well treated. Theysuffered from no complaint not more prevalent in the town,and I think enjoyed better health than a similar number ofcitizens." "
Our correspondent adds to his letter that he does not writein any way in support of the Government, and that for thatmatter he is a personal friend of many of the Reformers.But he has been unable to shut his eyes to the fact thatthere has been a great desire to abuse the Boer Governmentat every turn. In thanking him for his information he willobserve that we have discarded his suggestion that we should11 share the material," as we consider that in a matter wherethere have already been so much difference of opinion and somuch difference in detailed description our readers will bepleased to get first-hand information from someone on the"’pot not touched up either in response to political feeling oran editorial love of elegant expression. He also wishes usnot to publish his name, hence the form in which we haveprinted his communication.
-
ANTI-CHOLERAIC INOCULATIONS.
DR. W. J. SIMPSON, the health officer of Calcutta, who isa most indefatigable and energetic worker in the cause ofpublic hygiene and applied medical and sanitary science, hasjust furnished to the chairman of the Calcutta Corporation adocument embodying the results of the anti-choleraic inocu-lation work as carried on in that city during the past twoyears, which also includes observations on the results
obtained elsewhere in India. Dr. Simpson appears to haveg6ne into the subject with conscientious care and abilityand has certainly succeeded in making out a strong case forcontinuing the anti-choleraic grants so that the inoculationsmay become one of the agencies by which the Health
Department may combat cholera in Calcutta. His reportmainly consists of a number of facts and figures whichrequire to be thoughtfully studied, for the document does Inot easily lend itself to brief analysis. We may, however,succinctly refer to some points which will indicate its nature and the trend of its teaching. In the first place wemay say that the inoculations which have been so extensivelypractised in India have without exception proved harmless.From a table embodying all the observations made since theinoculations were introduced into Calcutta up to the end ofJ’me last it appears that in 77 houses there were 89 deathsirom cholera, 77 being among the uninoculated and 12 amongthe inoculated. Comparing the respective liability of theinoculated and uninoculated to cholera attacks we find that
- during the first four days after inoculation cholera occurredamong both classes alike, though in a smaller degree amongthe inoculated. After the first four days there was a periodof over a year when there was almost absolute freedom
al!l0l!g the inoculated, awhile among the non-inoculated in
the same houses cases were occurring during the whole
year ; after this period of one year cases began to re-
appear among both classes-inoculated and uninoculated.The next point is that as the protection from inoculationswith very weak doses of anti-cholera, vaccine was found to
disappear in a comparatively short time, the strength ofthese was increased towards the end of 1894 with the objectof producing a more lasting effect. The figures are not yetavailable to show whether these latter have had thedesired results. Dr. Simpson incidentally mentions thatwhen he was in Berlin Professor Koch expressed himselfsatisfied with the value of the inoculations made in India,and alluded to the corroborative evidence obtained bya series of experiments instituted by himself, Professor
Pfeiffer, and Dr. Kolle as to the protective properties ofanti-cholera inoculations. Experiments with the bloodserum of inoculated persons had a rapid and absolutelydestructive effect on the comma bacillus, exceeding in thisrespect by 200 times the power of the serum of ordinaryindividuals. Dr. Simpson also mentions that ProfessorKlein had informed him that he had now perfectly con-vinced himself that the comma bacillus is the causal
agent of cholera-a doctrine to which he was at
one time, as is well known, strongly opposed. We
trust our readers will peruse Dr. Simpson’s instructive
paper for themselves, but ’we would venture to make a fewremarks that occur to us at the moment. We are entirelywith Dr. Simpson in thinking that the subject of anti-cholerainoculation requires to be prosecuted further and wish himevery success. We would call his attention to the results ofsome recent experimental investigations by Roux, Metch-nikoff, and Salembini at the Pasteur Institute in con-
nexion with this subject. One of the difficulties in studyingthis disease is the necessity of making sure that it is
really cholera which is artificially induced in the experi-mental inoculations of the lower animals. In dealingwith statistical evidence it is scarcely necessary to addthat we require to work with large numbers and over
extended periods of time to avoid error and the liabilityto fluctuation where smaller numbers are concerned, andto bear in mind also the value of positive as comparedwith negative evidence. But setting aside these pointsa practical difficulty occurs to us in carrying out theseanti-choleraic inoculations. Assuming that we have a
perfectly reliable anti-choleraic agent if its protective pro-perties only last a year it will be difficult indeed to apply itannually to a teeming population like that of India, andevery effort must be made to overcome this difficulty.
ROYAL COMMISSION ON TUBERCULOSIS.
THE Second Royal Commission on Tuberculosis held itsfirst sitting on the 29th ult. The Commissioners presentwere Sir Herbert Maxwell, chairman, Dr. Thorne Thorne,C,B., Professor Brown, C.B., Mr. Shirley Murphy, Mr. Clare,Mr. Speir, Mr. Trench, and Dr. T. M. Legge, the secretary,No witnesses were called, the meeting being only of a preliminary character. It is understood that at its close an
adjournment took place till after the recess.
GLOUCESTER AND SMALL-POX.
ACCORDING to the Registrar-General’s quarterly return,which has just been published, of the total of 319 deathsfrom small-pox recorded in England and Wales during themonths of June, July, and August, no less than 277 occurredin the city of Gloucester. The number of deaths last quarteiin that city from diseases other than small-pox was 120 ; themortality caused by small-pox was therefore equal to anaddition of 231 per cent. to this number. We commend this
fact, the accuracy of which is vouched for by the Registrar-
