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A SIMPLE METHOD FOR BLOOD CULTURE.
729 well suggest that I have taken an active part in Miss action of liquid paraffin cannot be only lubricant, Chevassut’s work. I desire to state that there is and that it is attended by some very undesirable such a suggestion. effects, including stagnation of the oil in the stomach no foundation whatever for Such help and information as I have given to Miss and caecum, and repetition. It would appear that Chevassut has been confined to microscopical methods the delay in the stomach falls into line with the and to the use of an appliance devised for my own effects observed by the investigators of the action of work on various viruses. Miss Chevassut has not, olive oil, unless of course there is a difference in this in any real sense, been " trained " by me. I have respect between the action of mineral oil and a liquid simply given to her such help and advice, on matters fat such as olive oil. This appears unlikely because within my own competence, as I have given to many the olive oil not having passed the ampulla is not yet others in similar circumstances. If any comparison chemically split. is permissible, my association with Dr. Carmichael’s It is also found that olive oil causes a large flow of work in this field has been closer and more regular ; bile from the gall-bladder which has a laxative effect it was carried out in large part at the National (e.g., as in infants, to whom olive oil is frequently Institute for Medical Research, where my own work administered by parents and others for this purpose). is done, and later at the National Hospital, Queen- Again comparing the action of liquid paraffin it seems square, where I visited him at regular, prearranged probable that part of the laxative, and at times times. irritant, effect of liquid paraffin is due to a discharge I have received many inquiries concerning Miss of bile into the duodenum. In the absence of Chevassut’s work, which reveal an inclination to experimental evidence to the contrary, and considering associate my name with it. I trust that this dis- the resemblance between the physical properties of claimer will make it clear that I am neither entitled olive oil and liquid paraffin, such an assumption seems to claim credit, nor prepared to accept responsibility I am, Sir, yours faithfully, logical. in connexion with it. L. J. GREEN. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, High-road, South Tottenham, I1., March 21st, 1931. J. E. BARNARD. National Institute for Medical Research, March 20th, 1931.
A SIMPLE METHOD FOR BLOOD CULTURE.
To the Editor
LYSOL IN OBSTETRICS.
To the Editor
SiE,—In the report
THE LANCET.
in issue of the of March 14th device for your (p. 583) the collection of blood for culture must appeal to everyone who has met with the difficulties he refers to when samples have to be sent by post or messenger ; but he seems to be unaware of the fact that the identical method adopted by him has been in daily use for a considerable number of years. The screw-capped and rubber-diaphragmed bottle illustrated was patented by me a long time ago (British Patent 187900/22), and a spun variety of the same safety-cap has, for about ten years, been exclusively used by a well-known firm in this country for bottling vaccines prepared by them. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, EDWARD BURNET.
of an examination of Marshall’s your issue of March 14th (p. 590), no reference is made to the use of lysol in obstetrics, and I should like to direct attention to this omission because the reliability of lysol in obstetric use has recently been called in question, and is a most important issue. In your report it is stated that a dilution of 1 in 100 is recommended for the patient’s body, but the dilution recommended by the manufacturer for vaginal douches on the cartons is 1 in 400, presumably because stronger solutions are not tolerated; and no figures are given in the analysis published in THE LANCET for the disinfectant action of lysol in this dilution. I expect shortly to publish Harley-street, W., March 20th, 1931. the results of a test of a series of germicides including lysols, with a view to determining their suitability for the prophylaxis of streptococcal infections. The PASTEURISATION OF MILK. distinction made in your report between Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus haernolyticus appears To the Editor of THE LANCET. to call for explanation, as in the ordinary language of bacteriology these names are interchangeable. SIR,-With reference to the article by Dr. W. G’ I am, Sir, yours faithfully, Savage, in your issue of March 7th, I would suggest that all the troubles on the technical side of pasteurisaLAWRENCE P. GARROD. tion which he mentions may be entirely overcome by Bartholomew’s March St. Hospital, 16th, 1931. pasteurising the milk in the glass delivery bottles. This process secures the proper exposure of every particle of milk to the required temperature. The EFFECT OF UNSPLIT OILS ON DIGESTION. bottles after half an hour’s pasteurisation should To the Editor of THE LANCET. then be cooled to about 40° F. If this process were followed the risk of contamination before delivery Olive Oil annotation under the SiB,—An heading and Digestion in your issue of March 7th (p. 537) to consumers is also eliminated. The method would reviews certain results of recent investigations which also provide a complete answer to Mr. W. S. Stevens, may possibly help us to understand the effects of M.R.C.V.S. (who writes in the same issue), if he fears liquid paraffin. It has been found that the introduc- that any of the septic poisoning, referred to in his tion of olive oil into the stomach or duodenum letter, was caused from pasteurised milk. I am Sir, yours faithfully. definitely inhibits both the secretion of gastric juice and the contractions of the stomach musculature. ARTHUR G. ENOCK, M.I.Mech.E., I pointed out recently in your columnsthat the Consulting Dairy Engineer. Dutch House, Raglan-gardens, Wembley Park, 1 March 16th, 1931. THE LANCET, 1930, ii., 771.
Lysol, appearing in
’
of
of THE LANCET. SiR,—Dr. McCartney’s excellent description
A SIMPLE METHOD FOR BLOOD CULTURE.
To the Editor
LYSOL IN OBSTETRICS.
To the Editor
SiE,—In the report
THE LANCET.
in issue of the of March 14th device for your (p. 583) the collection of blood for culture must appeal to everyone who has met with the difficulties he refers to when samples have to be sent by post or messenger ; but he seems to be unaware of the fact that the identical method adopted by him has been in daily use for a considerable number of years. The screw-capped and rubber-diaphragmed bottle illustrated was patented by me a long time ago (British Patent 187900/22), and a spun variety of the same safety-cap has, for about ten years, been exclusively used by a well-known firm in this country for bottling vaccines prepared by them. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, EDWARD BURNET.
of an examination of Marshall’s your issue of March 14th (p. 590), no reference is made to the use of lysol in obstetrics, and I should like to direct attention to this omission because the reliability of lysol in obstetric use has recently been called in question, and is a most important issue. In your report it is stated that a dilution of 1 in 100 is recommended for the patient’s body, but the dilution recommended by the manufacturer for vaginal douches on the cartons is 1 in 400, presumably because stronger solutions are not tolerated; and no figures are given in the analysis published in THE LANCET for the disinfectant action of lysol in this dilution. I expect shortly to publish Harley-street, W., March 20th, 1931. the results of a test of a series of germicides including lysols, with a view to determining their suitability for the prophylaxis of streptococcal infections. The PASTEURISATION OF MILK. distinction made in your report between Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus haernolyticus appears To the Editor of THE LANCET. to call for explanation, as in the ordinary language of bacteriology these names are interchangeable. SIR,-With reference to the article by Dr. W. G’ I am, Sir, yours faithfully, Savage, in your issue of March 7th, I would suggest that all the troubles on the technical side of pasteurisaLAWRENCE P. GARROD. tion which he mentions may be entirely overcome by Bartholomew’s March St. Hospital, 16th, 1931. pasteurising the milk in the glass delivery bottles. This process secures the proper exposure of every particle of milk to the required temperature. The EFFECT OF UNSPLIT OILS ON DIGESTION. bottles after half an hour’s pasteurisation should To the Editor of THE LANCET. then be cooled to about 40° F. If this process were followed the risk of contamination before delivery Olive Oil annotation under the SiB,—An heading and Digestion in your issue of March 7th (p. 537) to consumers is also eliminated. The method would reviews certain results of recent investigations which also provide a complete answer to Mr. W. S. Stevens, may possibly help us to understand the effects of M.R.C.V.S. (who writes in the same issue), if he fears liquid paraffin. It has been found that the introduc- that any of the septic poisoning, referred to in his tion of olive oil into the stomach or duodenum letter, was caused from pasteurised milk. I am Sir, yours faithfully. definitely inhibits both the secretion of gastric juice and the contractions of the stomach musculature. ARTHUR G. ENOCK, M.I.Mech.E., I pointed out recently in your columnsthat the Consulting Dairy Engineer. Dutch House, Raglan-gardens, Wembley Park, 1 March 16th, 1931. THE LANCET, 1930, ii., 771.
Lysol, appearing in
’
of
of THE LANCET. SiR,—Dr. McCartney’s excellent description