Abstract:
Although the method described served its purpose it is considered that
the technique is too complicated. The reduction of the spleen tissue to a
very fine pulp is important if blockage of needles with consequent delay
and considerable annoyance in the field is to be obviated. This might
be accomplished by leading the pulp through a second mincer prior to
delivery into pulp tank. A more thorough mincing might make a second
filtration unnecessary in spite of the large amount of fibrous tissue in
the spleen particularly if a more efficient method of filtration in the pulp
tanks was devised.
Too many metal taps were used in setting up the apparatus. These
taps clog easily and are difficult to clean and sterilize. It is suggested that
all connections should be rubber and glass which are far more easily cleaned.
Although the use of hypertonic saline subsequently brought back to normality by the addition of 9 times the volume of water may be regarded
almost as a standard laboratory procedure a detailed investigation is desirable
to determine whether it is actually effective in bringing about rupture of
the tissue cells, more particularly when 50 per cent. glycerine water is used
as the final diluting fluid. The technique was introduced because if it did
not actually assist in the process it did not in interfere with it. In the "open"
method glass beads were shaken up with the vaccine to disintegrate the
tissue.
The sterilization plant was totally inadequate to cope efficiently with the constant demands made upon it. It is essential to have large capacity
autoclaves heated by paraffin burners to deal with bottles, corks and other
portions of the equipment.
