47

H; -31

APPENDIX IV.—LABORATOKY EEPOETS.

PART A.—PATHOLOGICAL LABORATORY REPORT. SIE, — I have the honour to forward the accompanying report by Mr. Hurley upon the work of the Pathological Laboratory during the past year. My transference to Auckland limits the scope of my work in connection with the Laboratory to a general supervision, and some special subjects such as the reporting upon sections of solid tissues, tumours, and so forth. The whole responsibility of carrying out the rest of the work falls on Mr. who has in consequence been gazetted as Bacteriologist for the Department—a position for which the excellence of his work in the past shows him to be well fitted. My duties elsewhere have made it impossible for me to carry on the routine examinations of public water-supplies which was a feature of previous reports. The aggregate number of pathological specimens submitted by the medical profession shows yearly a steady increase, more especially of those subjects requiring special experience and apparatus for their examination. Thus a better class of work is demanded of us—which is a matter for congratulation. I have, &c, Dr. Valintine, Chief Health Officer, Wellington. . R. H. Makgill, Pathologist. I have the honour to submit the following tabulated, report of the work done in the laboratory during the past year. The total number of specimens examined shows an increase of 34. on those examined the previous year.. There is a decrease in the number of specimens of sputa, pus, and throat-swabs, and in waterexaminations. On the other hand, there is an increase in the number of specimens that require a more detailed examination—viz., spinal fluid and blood specimens. The blood-examinations are 130, as against 62 last year. The work connected with the stocking of sera and the distribution for the Health Department has largely increased, and has added much to the clerical work of the Laboratory during the year. Dr. Makgill, Pathologist. J. A. Hurley, Bacteriologist, •••

Table showing Results of Examinations of Pathological Specimens. From 1st April, 1909, to 31st March, 1910.

Result. Material. Objeot of Examination. Total. Positive. Negative. Sputum ! For tubercle bacillus „ other conditions ... j „ parasites 9< 1] 1( 94 11 10 235 14 10 329 25 20 Total for 1909 374 391 Pus For tubercle bacillus... ... 1 9 22 5 19 9 6 28 31 „ gonococcus ... ... I „ other pyogenic organisms... 22 Pleuritic fluid Spinal fluid ... 2 8 6 10 65 •■..■■ „ tubercle bacillus... 8 18- -■- 26 Urine Total for 1909 91 87 Chemical ... ... ... Bacteriological ... ... Microscopical 52 32 67 Total for 1909 ... j 151 171