Report of the Principal Civil Medical Officer and Inspector-General of Hospitals / [Ceylon].

  • Ceylon. Civil Medical Department.
Date:
[1914]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Principal Civil Medical Officer and Inspector-General of Hospitals / [Ceylon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    8/72 (page 6)
    1914, His Excellency the Governor laid the foundation stone of the Anti-Tuberculosis Institute at San Sebastian, and in so doing emphasized the importance of a crusade against the disease, and reviewed the advance in the scientific treatment made in recent years. The institute will be completed in 1915, and it is in contemplation to provide an X-ray apparatus as a portion of the equipment. Owing to the absence in Europe of Mr. A. E. de Silva, the donor of the sanatorium, progress has been delayed, but the site has been cleared and a considerable quantity of the building materials conveyed to the spot. It is hoped that a hospital for chronic cases will be established in a portion of Ragama Camp. 22. Vaccination.—127,032 primary vaccinations were performed during the period, of which 117,985 were successful, 1,593 unsuccessful, and in 7,454 the results were unknown. 46,336 re-vaccina- tions were performed, of which 25,596 were successful, 4,236 unsuccessful, and in 16,504 the results were unknown. The percentages of successful vaccination to the total number vaccinated was 98‘98 in primary vaccinations, as compared with 97’76 (in itself an exceptionally high percentage) in the previous period, and in re-vaccinations by averaging unknown results, on the basis of the percentage yielded by known results, the higher percentage of successful operations of 83 • 8 is obtained, as compared with 74*46 in the previous period. It should be noted that the large number of unknown results in re-vaccinations is due to the inoculated persons not taking the trouble to present themselves for examination. It is of interest also to record that 102 of the 409 cases of smallpox which occurred during the period showed no previous marks of vaccination, and a further considerable number presented faint marks; while with regard to the period of duration of immunity from vaccination, it is to be noted that the last outbreak of smallpox of any magnitude occurred in 1908, when 1,446 cases with 321 deaths occurred in the Colony. At the vaccine establishment 472 calves were used for vaccination, of which 456 were returned to the contractor supplying them. As in previous years, seed lymph was obtained from the Lister Institute in London and the King Institute, Madras, and in addition a small amount was prepared in the estabhsh- ment itself. The total number of tubes of caK lymph issued during the period was 134,536, of which 2,138 w'ere sold. A large amount was also stored in bulk. Glycerinated calf lymph in sealed tubes is supplied to vaccinators. 23. Precautions taken at Colombo and Galle against the Introduction of Infectious Diseases into the Island.—The total number of -vessels calling at the port of Colombo during the year AVas 3,086, of which 2,433 came from infected ports. The total number of estate coolies landed AA'as 18,534, and of miscel¬ laneous deck passengers 32,940. The following ports were infected Avith plague, smallpox, or cholera:— Negapatam, Singapore, and the Avhole of South India. Of the vessels calling at the port, 2,764 were British and foreign steamers and 322 Indian and native sailing craft. The number of vessels placed in strict quarantine Avas 2, one for plague and the other for smallpox. 2,431 vessels w'orked healthy in quarantine, liaving come from infected ports. The infected vessels dealt Avith AVere :— (1) ss. Bharata on the return journey from Tuticorin on February 28 had a third class passenger on board from Colombo who developed symptoms of plague on arrival at Tuticorin. (2) ss. Hokoku Maru, carrying pilgrims from Jeddah, ai'rived AA'ith 19 cases of smallpox and 1 of measles. Six cases of chickenpox and 1 of measles w'ere sent to hospital. 76,120 passengers, 29,014 cargo coolies, 14,385 coal coolies, and 2,836 tally clerks AA^ere dealt AAith at the disinfecting station. 407 persons were vaccinated, a smaller number than in previous years, as vaccination is noAv^ carried out at Tuticorin and Mandapam. Rs. 13,093 *50 was realized by the sale of bills of health, and Rs. 713*59 on account of the disinfection of soiled linen, and both AV'ere credited to revenue. Lighters are periodically fumigated. The occurrence of plague in Colombo, although never in epidemic form, caused large numbers of coolies to leave for India. All AVere examined, and their belongings disinfected prior to embarkation. At Galle 140 vessels and 34 native craft arrived. Of these, 41 Avorked healthy in quarantine and 99 had free pratique. 43 lighters Avere fumigated, and 2,352 coolies, 204 tally clerks, and 206 traders and others were dealt with at the disinfecting station. One case of smallpox occurred on ss. Bahadur. Rs. 541 *50 for bills of health sales Avas credited to revenue. 24. Lunacy.—The total number treated in the Colombo Asylum during the year was 1,068 (males 685, females 383). The number discharged was 166 (males 128, females 38), and the number of deaths Avas 76 (males 42, females 34). In the house of obserA^ation 374 persons were treated, of whom 167 (males 112, females 55) were transferred to the asylum, 186 (males 136, females 50) AVere discharged, 5 males died, and 16 (males 11, females 5) remained at the end of the period. An outbreak of chickenpox occurred in August, and up to the end of the year affected 260 persons, of Avhom 230 (males 169, females 61) were patients and 30 (males 21, females 9) were attendants. Ten of the total cases remained under treat¬ ment at the end of the period. There Avere no deaths. The outbreak of Avar caused the postponement of the scheme to build a new asylum. Section III.—Meteorological Conditions and their Relationship to Disease. « 25. The rainfall AVas generally slightly higher in the east, and slightly less in the hill country of the south-AA'est. In the Dikoya district the rains associated with the commencement of the south-Avest monsoon were specially heavy on Sunday, May 10 : in places nearly 10 inches fell in 24 hours. In the latter part of the same month, in the same place and also in the Kelani Valley, there Avere considerable floods. The driest districts Avere Delft, Mannar, Puttalam, and Hambantota, Avhile the heaviest rainfall was experienced north of Ratnapura in SabaragamuAVa, in Dikoya, Central Province, and around Elpitiya, Southern Province. There is little to add to Avhat has been stated in previous reports under this liead. The occurrence of plague has added to the list of diseases possibly related in its incidence to variations of temperature and other climatic conditions, but present opinion is so variable on the point that it is merely advisable to mention the possible connection. The relationship of the monsoons to outbreaks of malarial fevers has been repeatedly mentioned, as also respiratory diseases in the hilly districts.