'Russia and India in 1903' [‎30v] (62/68)

5 6 RUSSIA AND INDIA IN 1903.
the stalactites, or the formation of any growth which
might block the injection needle.
Next comes a double test for purity, the results of
each examination being carefully registered. If both
examiners pass a flask fit for use, the fluid is submitted
to a final sterilisation in a temperature of 140° and
afterwards passed through a trough of cold water, and
5 per cent, of carbolic acid added.
The Vaccine Ready.
The vaccine is then ready for distribution. For
this purpose it is conveyed by a syphon apparatus,
sterilised under three atmospheres, the tube placed in
the mouth of the distribution bottle being also sterilised
in a Bunsen flame, and the bottle itself sterilised for
three hours in a temperature of 3 < - )( - )0 ^ahrenheit,
and then plugged with cotton-wool, while the india-
rubber stoppers are also sterilised by a three hours’
soaking in solution of tormaline, and placed in the
decanters with forceps.
It will thus be seen' that no possible precaution is
omitted to prevent the faintest danger of contamina
tion by any operator’s fingers.
After ten days, two bottles are taken from each batch
for examination.
A drop from each is placed in a test tube containing
sterile broth. If after four days there is no sign of
growth, the batch of bottles is passed for issue, a label
containing full directions to the operator being pasted
over the cork to prevent its being opened by the
curious.
Each bottle contains six ordinary doses of from
25 to 30 cubic centimetres, according to age and con
stitution. It is usually injected on the left upper arm.
A swelling quickly appears, and there is a rise in
temperature, accompanied by slight pain. The fever