Notes

Abstract

THE British Institute of Preventive Medicine, which was founded with the view of establishing in this country a national home for bacteriological work in all its branches, has made considerable progress towards the achievement of this aim during the past few years. The bacteriological laboratories are now fully organised, the serum therapeutics laboratory is on a firm footing, whilst the applications of bacteriology to hygiene are finding full recognition. A further addition has just been made to the departments of the Institute in response to the growing demands of the times. A large laboratory at Chelsea has been assigned to investigation and instruction in technical bacteriology. In this laboratory the agriculturist, the chemist, the: brewer, and others will find the instruction provided that they individually require for successfully em ploying the living agents of fermentation. Investigations will also be undertaken, and it is hoped that the laboratory will become a centre of useful work, and promote the advancement of a line of research of the greatest importance to the industries of the country. We have had hitherto to rely upon the research work of foreign laboratories in this direction. The laboratory has been named the Hansen laboratory, in recognition of the pioneer work of the distinguished investigator, and will be under the superintendence of Dr. G. Harris Morris. The formal opening of the British Institute will take place early in the new year, when the public will have an opportunity of inspecting the provisions made for furthering the objects of the Institute. The occasion will also be marked by the issue of a fresh volume of Transactions of the Institute, the first number of which was recently reviewed in these columns.