Introduction

Not high on a touristy agenda, but one institution that has given Kasauli considerable importance down the years is the Central Research Institute, the CRI. This was established in the early years of the twentieth century and its first Director, from 1906, was Sir David Semple. In the late 1930s, the Pasteur Institute was merged with the CRI. The original brief of the Institute was to function in bacteriological and medical research. It was during the First World War that the Institute was pushed into high gear and churned out vaccines for the army. This capability of performing under pressure was tested again during the Second World War and up to a million doses of vaccine and sera were shipped out every month. Interestingly, one of the fields that the CRI has long specialised in is the treatment of snake and dog bites and people with serious cases – which once included the Viceroy of India, Lord Minto who was bitten by a stray dog – have been treated at the Institute.

Today, the Institute continues its work in immunology, vaccines and sera and has added several research and collaborative projects to its fold. Some of the projects being undertaken at the CRI are - standardization of a modified single radial immunodiffusion test for rapid determination of potency of rabies vaccine; stability studies of rabies vaccine exposed at different temperatures and for various periods; studies on the effects of pertussis toxin; and standardization of in-vitro technique for passive haemagglutination / haemagglutination inhibition for estimation of potency of snake (cobra) venom antiserum.

The CRI receives samples for testing from the ‘Drugs Control Authorities’ throughout the country. For cold chain monitoring of oral polio vaccine, samples from the field are also tested. To maintain uniformity in the production of immunobiologicals in the country, national reference standards have been calibrated against international standards and supplied to the manufacturing and testing units in the country. The CRI also works as a World Health Organization ‘Collaborating Centre’ for measles, polio and the DTP group of vaccines.

Special Attributes

Highly rated medical research and production institute

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

Comfortable but conservative.

Connectivity

Taxis and walking

Enjoyed by

Scientists, medical interest and limited general interest

Exposure

None indoors

Avoidable Season

Open through the year

Facilities

Parking at hand

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction.

Tip

This is a research and production institute. Permission to cover this will be required

Type of site

Reseach and production institute.