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THE HERITAGE SCHOOL AT CHAILEY.
1232
packed but having room to vibrate in contact with the and Gay,8Davis,9 and others have obtained uniformly walls of the parent cyst. The signs given when other negative results. Catani apparently failed because physical conditions are present may be summarised as the test employed by him for the absence of haemofollows : single tense cyst-no thrill ; single slack globin in his media was not sufficiently delicate;
cyst-a wavy fluctuation but no thrill ; cyst with daughter cysts tightly packed-no thrill. Prof. Barnett tried to verify these observations experimentally, using an imitation mother cyst made from the inner tube of a motor tyre and daughter cyst made from finger-stalls distended with water, but, like previous experimenters, not with unqualified success. It is here exceedingly difficult to reproduce artificially the exact conditions met with in nature. THE
HERITAGE SCHOOL AT CHAILEY.
THE present financial position of the Heritage Schools of Arts and Crafts for Crippled Boys and Girls at Chailey, in Sussex, is a cause of anxiety to those who are responsible for the work there carried on. An appeal for funds is issued by Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, Chief Patroness of the Schools, supported by the Bishop of London (President) and Sir Robert Jones (Chairman of the Surgical Board) ; the increased cost of upkeep of all kindsrepairs to buildings, wages of staff, food, &c.has rendered necessary an augmented income for this most well-deserving institution. Founded in 1903, the schools have harboured 860 children up to the present time ; of these the boys have been trained in woodwork of all kinds, particularly toy and cabinet making, and the girls in needlework and children’s dressmaking. At the completion of their courses, equipped with a means of earning their own livelihood, they are placed with well-known firms. During the war 590 shell-shocked children were cared for, and a hospital was opened which housed in all some 600 wounded soldiers. The recent gift, by Sir Jesse and Lady Boot, of an operating theatre has greatly increased the means of dealing with paralysis, rickets, and congenital deformities. Sir Robert Jones speaks of the institution as having enormous possibilities of development, given sufficient financial supportmaking mention of electric light and an improved water-supply as immediately desirable. It is to be hoped that, even in these days of reduced subscriptions, the season of the year will not be without its effect upon the balance-sheet at Cttailey. THE THE
INFLUENZA BACILLUS IN CULTURE. recent
epidemic
of
intluenza
stimulated
a
number of researches into the biological properties of B. influenzce. Important new facts have been added, chief amongst which may be mentioned the demonstration of a soluble toxin, serologically differing races, and the production of indole. In addition, much light has been thrown on the substances required for the growth of the bacillus. This of necessity opened up the old controversy as to whether the bacillus was capable of growing in pure or impure cultures in the absence of blood. At the present moment the majority of workers seem agreed that B. injluenzae in pure culture cannot be grown in the absence of blood or some derivative of it. With regard to the behaviour of impure cultures there is some difference of opinion. Catani,"and more recently Thjotta,4as well as Williams and Povitzky,6 claim to have obtained growths of B. in,fGuenzc in mixed cultures in the absence of blood pigment. On the other hand, contemporary workers refuted Catani’s claims (Ghon and Preyss2 and Luerssen 3), whilst among modern workers Fildes,5 Rivers,Putnam 1 Catani, A.: Zeitschr. f. Hyg. und Infektionskrankh., 1901, vol. xxxvi., p. 29. 2 Ghon, A., and v. Preyss, W.: Centralbl. f. Bakteriol. Orig.,
1902, vol. xxxii., p. 90. 3 Luerssen, A.: Ibid., 1904, vol. xxxv., p. 434. 4 Thjotta, T.: Journ. Exper. Med., 1921, vol. xxxiii., p. 763. 56 Fildes, P. : Brit. Journ. of Exper. Path., 1921, vol. ii., p. 16. Williams and Povitzky, O. R.: Journ. Med. Research, 1921, vol. xlii., p. 405. 7 Rivers, I. M., and Poole, A. K. : Bulletin Johns Hopkins Hosp., 1921, xxxii., p. 202.
he made use only of the spectroscope as attest for blood pigment. It is now known that minute quantities of blood too small to be detected by this means are quite sufficient for the growth of the bacillus of influenza. The findings of some of the more modern workers are open to the same criticism. As already indicated, the actual nature of the substance or substances required for the growth of B. influenzce has also been the subject of considerable inquiry. It has been determined that two factors are necessary, both of which are to be found in bloodone derived from blood pigment and the other from the non-pigment fraction (Fildes). We have used above the term blood-pigment factor instead of haemoglobin, for the fact is that haemoglobin itself is incapable of allowing growth, which is determined rather by traces of methaemoglobin present. Ordinary human blood-agar grows B. influenzce only feebly, while if the same medium has been just brought to the boil luxuriant growths are obtained (Leventhal’s medium). The chief effect of the heating apparently is to change the haemoglobin into methsemoglobin or some pigment derivative. This pigment-derived substance is heat-resisting, and with one exception
(Thjotta) has not been found outside blood. Thjotta’s are so diametrically opposed to those of Fildes, Davis, and others that they cannot be accepted The second substance without further proof. necessary for the growth is heat-labile ; as well as in blood it has been found in various animal and plant tissues (yeast and potato extracts). Although in agreement with Terada’s claim 10 that the bacillus of influenza should not be called hcemoglobinophilic, the researches enumerated above do emphasise its strictly hcemophilic nature. results
EX-SERVICE
MEN
MENTALLY AFFECTED.
Two
questions asked in the House of Commons before it adjourned related to the care of sailors and soldiers who took part in the war and whose minds, as the result of their service, havebecome affected. The whole subject of the conditions in which such men are treated is unquestionably one in which not only their relatives but the public are deeply interested. It is felt by many that a clear distinction should be made between those who, through fighting in the defence of their country have become
shortly
of unsound mind, and those other unfortunates who " lunatic asylums "-we use are the normal inmates of the historic term intentionally. The first of the questions referred to, asked by Capt. C. E. Loseby, M.P., elicited the reply that there are now about 6210 men receiving treatment in county or borough asylums at the cost of the Ministry of Pensions, and that of these 4110 have dependents eligible for and in receipt of treatment allowances-that is to say, that they receive payments dependent upon the degree of mental incapacity affecting the man in the asylum. The slur attaching to the wife, and even more to the children, of the man known by their neighbours to be in an asylum falls upon them. The second question, asked by Mr. Gillies, M.P., had reference to the provision of institutions by the Board of Control
ex-service
for ex-service men,who are not certifiable as of unsound mind. From the reply it is gathered that there are no such institutions in existence, and secondly, that as to this class of case, steps have been taken by the Ministry of Pensions to secure for all uncertifiable ex-service officers and men, whose condition is due to war service, hospital treatment under the control of the Ministry, entirely independent of lunacy adminis8 Putnam, J. J., and Gay, D. M. : Journ. Med. Research. 1920, vol. lxii., p. 1. 9 Davis, D. J. : Journ. of Infectious Diseases, 1921, vol. xxix., pp., 171, 178, 187. 10 Terada, M. : The Japan Medical World, 1921, vol. i., p. 8.
packed but having room to vibrate in contact with the and Gay,8Davis,9 and others have obtained uniformly walls of the parent cyst. The signs given when other negative results. Catani apparently failed because physical conditions are present may be summarised as the test employed by him for the absence of haemofollows : single tense cyst-no thrill ; single slack globin in his media was not sufficiently delicate;
cyst-a wavy fluctuation but no thrill ; cyst with daughter cysts tightly packed-no thrill. Prof. Barnett tried to verify these observations experimentally, using an imitation mother cyst made from the inner tube of a motor tyre and daughter cyst made from finger-stalls distended with water, but, like previous experimenters, not with unqualified success. It is here exceedingly difficult to reproduce artificially the exact conditions met with in nature. THE
HERITAGE SCHOOL AT CHAILEY.
THE present financial position of the Heritage Schools of Arts and Crafts for Crippled Boys and Girls at Chailey, in Sussex, is a cause of anxiety to those who are responsible for the work there carried on. An appeal for funds is issued by Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, Chief Patroness of the Schools, supported by the Bishop of London (President) and Sir Robert Jones (Chairman of the Surgical Board) ; the increased cost of upkeep of all kindsrepairs to buildings, wages of staff, food, &c.has rendered necessary an augmented income for this most well-deserving institution. Founded in 1903, the schools have harboured 860 children up to the present time ; of these the boys have been trained in woodwork of all kinds, particularly toy and cabinet making, and the girls in needlework and children’s dressmaking. At the completion of their courses, equipped with a means of earning their own livelihood, they are placed with well-known firms. During the war 590 shell-shocked children were cared for, and a hospital was opened which housed in all some 600 wounded soldiers. The recent gift, by Sir Jesse and Lady Boot, of an operating theatre has greatly increased the means of dealing with paralysis, rickets, and congenital deformities. Sir Robert Jones speaks of the institution as having enormous possibilities of development, given sufficient financial supportmaking mention of electric light and an improved water-supply as immediately desirable. It is to be hoped that, even in these days of reduced subscriptions, the season of the year will not be without its effect upon the balance-sheet at Cttailey. THE THE
INFLUENZA BACILLUS IN CULTURE. recent
epidemic
of
intluenza
stimulated
a
number of researches into the biological properties of B. influenzce. Important new facts have been added, chief amongst which may be mentioned the demonstration of a soluble toxin, serologically differing races, and the production of indole. In addition, much light has been thrown on the substances required for the growth of the bacillus. This of necessity opened up the old controversy as to whether the bacillus was capable of growing in pure or impure cultures in the absence of blood. At the present moment the majority of workers seem agreed that B. injluenzae in pure culture cannot be grown in the absence of blood or some derivative of it. With regard to the behaviour of impure cultures there is some difference of opinion. Catani,"and more recently Thjotta,4as well as Williams and Povitzky,6 claim to have obtained growths of B. in,fGuenzc in mixed cultures in the absence of blood pigment. On the other hand, contemporary workers refuted Catani’s claims (Ghon and Preyss2 and Luerssen 3), whilst among modern workers Fildes,5 Rivers,Putnam 1 Catani, A.: Zeitschr. f. Hyg. und Infektionskrankh., 1901, vol. xxxvi., p. 29. 2 Ghon, A., and v. Preyss, W.: Centralbl. f. Bakteriol. Orig.,
1902, vol. xxxii., p. 90. 3 Luerssen, A.: Ibid., 1904, vol. xxxv., p. 434. 4 Thjotta, T.: Journ. Exper. Med., 1921, vol. xxxiii., p. 763. 56 Fildes, P. : Brit. Journ. of Exper. Path., 1921, vol. ii., p. 16. Williams and Povitzky, O. R.: Journ. Med. Research, 1921, vol. xlii., p. 405. 7 Rivers, I. M., and Poole, A. K. : Bulletin Johns Hopkins Hosp., 1921, xxxii., p. 202.
he made use only of the spectroscope as attest for blood pigment. It is now known that minute quantities of blood too small to be detected by this means are quite sufficient for the growth of the bacillus of influenza. The findings of some of the more modern workers are open to the same criticism. As already indicated, the actual nature of the substance or substances required for the growth of B. influenzce has also been the subject of considerable inquiry. It has been determined that two factors are necessary, both of which are to be found in bloodone derived from blood pigment and the other from the non-pigment fraction (Fildes). We have used above the term blood-pigment factor instead of haemoglobin, for the fact is that haemoglobin itself is incapable of allowing growth, which is determined rather by traces of methaemoglobin present. Ordinary human blood-agar grows B. influenzce only feebly, while if the same medium has been just brought to the boil luxuriant growths are obtained (Leventhal’s medium). The chief effect of the heating apparently is to change the haemoglobin into methsemoglobin or some pigment derivative. This pigment-derived substance is heat-resisting, and with one exception
(Thjotta) has not been found outside blood. Thjotta’s are so diametrically opposed to those of Fildes, Davis, and others that they cannot be accepted The second substance without further proof. necessary for the growth is heat-labile ; as well as in blood it has been found in various animal and plant tissues (yeast and potato extracts). Although in agreement with Terada’s claim 10 that the bacillus of influenza should not be called hcemoglobinophilic, the researches enumerated above do emphasise its strictly hcemophilic nature. results
EX-SERVICE
MEN
MENTALLY AFFECTED.
Two
questions asked in the House of Commons before it adjourned related to the care of sailors and soldiers who took part in the war and whose minds, as the result of their service, havebecome affected. The whole subject of the conditions in which such men are treated is unquestionably one in which not only their relatives but the public are deeply interested. It is felt by many that a clear distinction should be made between those who, through fighting in the defence of their country have become
shortly
of unsound mind, and those other unfortunates who " lunatic asylums "-we use are the normal inmates of the historic term intentionally. The first of the questions referred to, asked by Capt. C. E. Loseby, M.P., elicited the reply that there are now about 6210 men receiving treatment in county or borough asylums at the cost of the Ministry of Pensions, and that of these 4110 have dependents eligible for and in receipt of treatment allowances-that is to say, that they receive payments dependent upon the degree of mental incapacity affecting the man in the asylum. The slur attaching to the wife, and even more to the children, of the man known by their neighbours to be in an asylum falls upon them. The second question, asked by Mr. Gillies, M.P., had reference to the provision of institutions by the Board of Control
ex-service
for ex-service men,who are not certifiable as of unsound mind. From the reply it is gathered that there are no such institutions in existence, and secondly, that as to this class of case, steps have been taken by the Ministry of Pensions to secure for all uncertifiable ex-service officers and men, whose condition is due to war service, hospital treatment under the control of the Ministry, entirely independent of lunacy adminis8 Putnam, J. J., and Gay, D. M. : Journ. Med. Research. 1920, vol. lxii., p. 1. 9 Davis, D. J. : Journ. of Infectious Diseases, 1921, vol. xxix., pp., 171, 178, 187. 10 Terada, M. : The Japan Medical World, 1921, vol. i., p. 8.