Annual report of the Director, Medical & Health Department / Colony of Mauritius.

  • Mauritius. Medical and Health Department
Date:
[1929]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Director, Medical & Health Department / Colony of Mauritius. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    TABLE II Showing the result obtained by the study of several colonies of lactose fermenters whether or not similar in aspect, taken close together, from nine samples of faeces. Samples I ii hi IV V VI VII VIII IX Average Group I ... °/o 0 °Jo 0 % 0 °/o 20 °/o 12.5 % 0 % 40 °/o 0 °]o 80 7* 16.7 Group II ... 0 0 0 20 12.5 0 0 100 0 14.7 Group III ... 50 33.3 25 40 50.0 0 60 0 20 30.9 Group IV ... 50 66.6 75 20 25.0 100 0 0 0 37.4 4. B.C.G. Vaccination.—The investigation commenced in 1925 was continued on the same lines in the year under review. Between September 1925 and December 31st. 1929, a total of 6,383 infants were submitted to this process of vaccination. The following are some figures collected in the course of this study. Total number of children born in the Colony from April 1st 1928 to September 30th. 1929 ... ••• ••• ••• 21,591 Total deaths from all causes among infants of the same age period during the same 18 months... ... ••• ••• ••• ••• 2,844 Death rate from all causes... ... ... ... ... 13.12% Of these 21,591 children definite information has been obtained regarding 1,660 having received B. C. G. vaccine. Total deaths from all causes among these 92 Death rate from all causes ... ... ... ... ... 5.54% a figure which compares favourably with the total death rate above given specially if it is mentioned that the vaccinated children belong principally to the labouring classes. Of the 92 vaccinated infants whose death was recorded, two died of tuberculosis. These two children lived with their mothers both tuberculous. 5. TJterine Cancer.—On the suggestion of a distinguished surgeon an enquiry was initiated to determine the extent of the malignant process in cases of cancer of the uterus having just reached the stage of clinical or microscopical diagnosis. The object was to endeavour and find out whether figures could be obtained capable of serving as a guide to the surgeon in deciding whether to perform a partial or total hysterectomy. Such an investigation naturally calls for a large number of cases and in a small population like ours must necessarily extend over a rather long period. When the year came to a close 7 specimens had been examined of the whole uterus after hysterectomy. Sections were cut systemetically of the body, isthmus and cervix of the organs. In all these cases the disease was of the adenocarcinomatous type. In four the entire uterus from fundus to cervix was infiltrated though to a variable extent but in the remaining three the disease was confined to either the fundus or isthmus, or both, but the cervix was free from any evidence of infiltration. This enquiry will be continued. VI. ADMINISTRATION Mr. R. Avice du Buisson, Laboratory Assistant, returned from a year’s leave of absence spent in England, during which he devoted much of his time to perfecting his knowledge ofadvaneed chemistry, and resumed the duties of his office in November 1929, The services of Mr. L. Webb, Ag. Scientific Assistant, were placed, with the approval of the Governor, at the disposal of Professor Th. Mortensen, Director of the Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, from September 17th to October 31st 1929. Professor Mortensen who was engaged during his visit to the Colony in studying the marine fauna of the Island, was good enough to express in flattering terms his acknowledgment of the assistance lie received from Mr. Webb on that occasion. The fees collected at the Laboratory for work done for private parties amounted to Rs. 6,330.84 Cs. An additional sum of Rs. 148 was paid direct to the Treasury for labora¬ tory dues bringing the total receipts for the year to Rs. 6,478.84 Cs., as against Rs. 10,649.95 Cs. in 1928. L. G. BARBEAU, Superintendent Bacteriological Laboratory. May 17th, 1930.