530 THE PEPPER TREE AND HAY FEVER. 



relation of the Pepper Tree to Epidemic Hay Fever, if there is 

 any such relation, in which case the sufferings of Dr. Rindl and 

 Professor Conlin will not have been in vain. On the other hand 

 it should be explained that there are hundreds of species of diplo- 

 coccus; and that though the species found on the pollen and in 

 the nasal discharge are morphologically similar they may quite 

 well be physiologically very different. It should also be added 

 that the pollen was not removed from the Pepper Trees with the 

 usual bacteriological precautions. 



Experiments have been started to test the disease-producing 

 power of the diplococci ; and if they are found capable of pro- 

 ducing the disease, experiments with proper bacteriological pre- 

 cautions will be made to ascertain whether they are always 

 found on the pepper pollen and where else they occur. The 

 diplococci concerned may be of very general occurence in the air 

 and dust of Bloemfontein, and may live normally in the nasal 

 discharge of inflamed mucous membranes without causing injury 

 to the patient^ i.e., their presence in the case of hay fever may be 

 the result of the disease, rather than its cause. 



Although the investigation is far from concluded it has been 

 considered advisable to present an Interim Report at this stage 

 because of the great interest taken in the question by the general 

 public. It is hoped to continue the investigations next summer 

 in collaboration with the Public Health Department, when it is 

 intended to attack the problem from several points of view. The 

 pepper pollen clue will be followed up, and special attention will 

 be given to common local weeds, grasses and other plants whose 

 pollen is normally carried by the wind. 



Appeal for Co-operation.* 



Assistance is invited in solving the problem. Volunteers 

 who are willing to allow themselves to be inoculated to test 

 whether the diplococci isolated are capable of causing hay fever 

 should communicate with Mr. O. F. Gibbs, Public Health Depart- 

 ment. Government Buildings (Tel. No. i8). Only persons sus- 

 ceptible to the disease are suitable for experiment. 



If Doctors who have patients suffering from an attack, or 

 the patients themselves will report cases to me as early as con- 

 venient, I will endeavour to visit the house or place of work and 

 record the plants flowering in the immediate neighbourhood at 

 the time. It will be sufficient to supply the nam§ and add'iess 

 of the sufferer either in writing to 91, Park Road or by telephone 

 (253). A statistical treatment of a large number of cases may 

 disclose the cause of the trouble. It is also hoped to make a 

 bacteriological examination of the nasal discharp^e of several 

 patients. 



Botanical Department, 



Grey University College, 

 Bloemfontein. 



* Issued through the local Press to the public of Bloemfontein. 



