A Study of Lobar Pneumonia in Massachusetts: Methods and Results of Pneumococcus Type Determination, 1931-1932

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Abstract
During the past 2 yrs. the Commonwealth Fund of New York has financed this study. Statistical, epidemiological, and laboratory studies are under way. Clinical trial of concentrated antipneumococcic serum is being made within selected areas over half of the State. Facilities for pneumococcus typing are available from 20 hospitals. At the central laboratory in Boston 960 typings out to the full 32 (Cooper) types were done during the 11 mos., September, 1931, to July, 1932, using the Krumwiede, Sabin, and tube agglutination methods. These methods proved 99% accurate when results were definitely positive. The Sabin was by far the most generally useful; 94% of 398 such typings gave positive results in 5-8 hrs. New technicians learned to use this method with ease and accuracy. Of 789 tvpings done on sputum and other material from patients, 95% were checked. All types except XXV and XXXII were found, and showed no especial geographic distribution over the state. Multiple family cases of lobar pneumonia were uncommon. The higher types (IV-XXXII) were more frequently found during winter and spring. In addition to I, II and III, an average of 12 of the higher types was found during each of the 11 mos.