The manufacture of anti-rinderpest spleen vaccine under field conditions in Tanganyika Territory

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.