ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 17 
is readily enough recognised by physicians, but there exist very 
numerous mild cases in which the symptoms do not appreciably 
differ from those of ordinary sore throats. These mild cases can 
spread the disease and lead to serious ones, and indeed it is by 
such unsuspected cases that the disease is disseminated. It is 
consequently of the utmost importance to recognise them and the 
department made provision for the above mentioned examinations 
which had for their object the detection of the ra form of 
the disease, Bacillus diphtheriae. 
Leprosy.—A systematic enquiry into the histo-pathology of this 
disease has been initiated. During the past year four cases have 
been examined, and the extent of the disease in them ascertained. 
Tt is hoped that with the facilities we (unfortunately) possess for: 
the study of this disease, we shall soon be in a position to make 
valuable contributions to the knowledge of this subject, and to 
add our mite to the ultimate object of such sara ata viz., the 
cure of the disease. 
The effects of the liver fluke.—This work consisted of an inves- 
tigation as to the pathological effects produced in the liver of 
sheep by the presence of the parasite, Yasciola (Distoma) hepatica. 
As yet only one stage of the disease has been investigated. 
During the year an epigootic disease amongst horses, character- 
ised by loss of sight, has occurred in the Darling River districts. 
Examinations made in the laboratory showed chronic inflammatory 
changes in the optic nerves. Various plants have been suspected 
of causing this condition, and one of these—the Darling River 
melon (Cucumis myriacarpus/—has been examined. Experi- 
mental animals (rabbits and guinea pigs) refused to eat the melon. 
Forcible feeding with extracts did not ‘produce any injurious. 
effect. The experiments tend to show that the melon does not. 
possess poisonous properties. 
A disease met with in sheep, consisting of enlargement of 
lymphatic glands all over the body, giving rise to a condition 
resembling but distinct from tubeeowlesio, is the subject of an 
investigation at present in progress. 
B—May 20, 1896. 
