Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1909. MICRO-BIOLOGY. WORK OF THE SYDNEY BUREAUX.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 25 September 1909, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1909. MICRO-BIOLOGY. WORK OF THE SYDNEY BUREAUX.

. WE are often amazed at the great work I of research and discovery accomplished by the observation bureaux of the j United States, especially in the analysis of foodstuffs, the hybridisation of cereals and fruit, and the tracing of disease germs and their antidotes. In Great Britain and Continental Europe too, the trend of modern science is daily more towards the investigation and removal of human ills, and the application of knowledge to tho betterment of human life, passing beyond the traditions of the past, which confined research to the study and the laboratory, and viewed usefulness with- suspicion. In view of 'the" progress of other lands thus indicated it is satisfactory to know that, though without fame as yet ouside its 'own country, New Zealand's neighbour, across the Tasman Sea, New South Wales, has a State Bureau of Micro-Bio-logy which is, and has been doing good work. The Sydney Bureau of Micro-Biology was created just over a year ago, in July, 1908. Its basis was the microBiological laboratory developed in connection with the Department of Public Health, which dealt in particular with diseases of human beings, and to a slight extent with those of other animals. As the appliances there available were equally applicable for the' study of diseases in plants, the extension o. functions was made without any material expenditure for equipment. This laboratory was therefore created a se- j parat-e bureau, with the officer formerly ' in charge of it (Dr. Frank Tidswell, ■ M.8., Ch.M., D.P.H.), as director. The first six months were largely occupied I in preliminary work matters ; the statement under review refers to work done between January 1 and June 30 of the present year. The -matters dealt with include the' bacteriological examination of specimens submitted in connection with such diseases as tuberculosis, typhoid fever, diphtheria, plague, anthrax, and septic and contagious diseases generally of human beings and animals, and of the various blights, rusts, and rots which parasitic fungi cause in the fruits, leaves, stems, or roots of plants. The volume of wor kin this direction hasamounted to 1200 specimens during the; last six months. In addition there have been referred about" 364 specimens including cancer and other tumours, body fluids, and pieces of organs, .affected with diseased conditions, which are not certainly known to be. caused.; by specific bacteria; 83 specimens of soils', disinfectants, foods, poisons, etc., examined for hygienic purposes ; and eight instances in which the services- of the bureau were requisitioned in connection with crimina loffences. The routine, work further included the examination' of 16,(500 rats submitted by the catching staffs of the Department of Public Health and the Sydney City Council; and there have also been examined 138 samples of dairy produce, i;e., milk/ butter, cream, cneese, etc. Obviously, with so much to do, there is not much time for the Bureau to devote to investigation work. But for all that the officers have contrived to devote a good deal of attention to the collection and determination of parasites from various domestic and wild animals, either internal (endo-parasites) or external (ecto-parasites). About 1700 such parasites have been collected and determined during the half-year. In connection with this work there have been further found 28 parasites which inhabit the blood of domestic and wild animals, and which are more or less related to the micro-organisms which produce malaria in human beings, and, like them, are distributed by means of blood-suck-ing ecto-parasites. Side by side with the investigation of the largeri endo-para-sites there is being conducted an inquiry concerning the microbes which habitually occupy th: digestive and intestinal canals of various animals, including { man, with respect to the latter the per- ( sistence of typhoid bacilli in the excre- , tions of persons who.ihaye suffered from [ that disease, and who may therefore become "typhoid carriers." , In view of the modern development j of vaccine treatment, the subject has re- , colvcd much attention from the Bureau. Specimens from subjects Buffering from diseases which may be appropriately I treated by yaccinalipn, are exagiijied to * determine the nature of tjje infflbting'l

microbe. An important point is that where necessary the microbe isolated is used to prepare the vaccine lymph required, and the latter is then distributed for treatment of subjects. Owing to the heavy work the Bureau has to do, and the need of economy, vaccine _ treatment as well as the examination of specimens for bacteriological diagnosis, is undertaken only .on behalf of patients with respect to whom the msdicol atendant certifies that th*y cannot afford to pay th« regular professional fee. But the idea it is intended to carry out is to place the value of these researches and results within the reach of any member of the community Who may desire to take advantage of them. Altogethe 28 vaccines have been prepared and distributed during the half-year.. There is in contemplation the application of these methods to valuable domestic animals. The position of this subject ttt the present day is more or less an experimental one, but there are not wanting indications that its exploitation may be the means of saving much valuable life. Other matters in conection with stock receiving attention include tho investigation of mammitis, "redwater," and "white scour" in cattle ; black disease in sheep ; and stringhalt in horses. Other activities of the Bureaux extend to agriculture, the bacteriolo'giy of milk, and the destruction of rabbits. An extensive investigation is in progress on the subject of the infection of wheat by "bunt" ; upon "blackspot" in citrus fruite; and upon the value of soil inocculation with the nitrogen bacteria of the root nodules of legumes. . The matter of potato disease, particularly the question of '"Irish biight""in Tasmanian potatoes, has necessarily received much attention during the last couple of' months. Passing attention has also been given to the "downy" or false mil-dew-of grape vines, and to a "wet rot" of banana trees. Research into the bacteriology of milk is being continued in the direction of ascertaining the effect of trade requirements upon the milk bacteria. Lactic bacteria have been isolated from various sources, and are undergoing investigation with respect to their use as butter "starters," and in tho treatment of gastro-intestinal disturbance. There have also been isolated pure cultures of yeast which it is proposed to examine in connection with their use for bread-making. Finally the 'bureau is also charged with the duty of inquiring into and testing the value, of the proposals for destroying rabbits by disease. The Sydney Bureau might be of great assistance to the New Zealand Departments of Health and Agriculture, at least in the latter's biological branch, which as yet is hardly as forward in modern appliances, or as abreast of the times as it will be in the future. Thei-6 is room for co-operation between this Dominion and New South Wales in many direction relative to scientific research for the benefit of our agricultural and horticultural industries, and hence the fact that a Micro-Biological Bureau is so near our shores as Sydney is a matter for much congratulation.