H.—3l.

Urines Examined.

Animals examined. Mice. —For plague, 5. Result negative in each case Rats.— For plague, 5. Result, all negative. Insect-larva. —1. Identified. Guinea-figs. —Twenty-four guinea-pigs were used for inoculation, the majority being to test the presence or absence of tubercle bacilli in sputums and urines, others for ascertaining the virulence of diphtheria-cultures, and the remainder in investigating the safety of water-samples. Total animals examined, 35. Miscellaneous Specimens. Water Samples. —Twenty-eight samples of water were examined bacteriologically, chiefly from municipal supplies. These waters are generally in a satisfactory condition, the only exception being a specimen taken from the Ponsonby Reservoir at Auckland, which was found to contain Bacillus coli and a putrefactive aneerobe. The water-supplies at Masterton, Nelson, and Christchurch were exceptionally good at the time of examination. Aerated Waters. —Nineteen different samples were examined —seven in bottles and twelve in siphons. The condition of these was satisfactory. Milk Samples. —Forty-six specimens of milk from various centres in the colony were examined bacteriologically. Pathogenic organisms were found in nearly half the samples. Comparatively few could be classed as being in a satisfactory condition. Foodstuffs. —The following foods were examined : Currants, 3 samples; bread, 3 samples ; biscuit, 1 sample ; pickled tongue, 1 sample. Vaccine. —Eight specimens of glycerinised oalf vaccine were investigated. Repeated bacteriological examinations were made to ascertain when the lymph was free from extraneous organisms. In all eighty-six cultivations were made for the purpose. Cultures examined as to nature, 6. One filter was tested as to its bacteriological efficiency. The following table shows the results of the examinations of the various tumours received at the Health Department laboratory at Sydney Street, classified according to nature and the. region of the body from which they came: —

Table showing Result of Examinations of Tumours.

11— H. 81.

81

Method. What Sought. Positive. Negative. Total. iaoteriologically licrosoopioally Ihemically 'hemical estimations .. ; Tubercle .. I Deposits . . Albumen . . Sugar .. Other conditions . . Urea 3 25 17 25 6 5 29 16 10 2 32 25 33 35 8 5 Total urines examined 138

Digestive System. ! Bespirato) •y System. Eeproduct: ive System. Tongue, Stomach Lips, and and Larynx. Mouth. Intestines. Breast. Testicle. Lungs. Uterus. Ovary. Oaroinoma Sarcoma Simple tumours 2 1 3 1 6 2 7 18 1 1 8 4 11 2 7 .1 Urinary System. Organs of Special Sens Sympat] ie. Systei tetic Integi a. ary S, iment- I Lo< ostein. I H; somotive astern. Total. Kidney. ! Bladder. Eye, &c. Nose and Ear. Glands. SK in. Muscles, Hones, &c. Jaroinoma Sarcoma limple tumours .' ••! 2 2 5 9 4 2 5 2 3 6 88 U) 66