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(The sign + signifies the presence, and the sign — the absence of the spores of B. enteritidis sporogenes.)
The above results are shown in graphic form in Diagram 8.
As regards the crude sewage and the effluents from the 4-foot bed, it is to be noted that the number
of spores of B. enteritidis varied from 10 to 1,000 per c.c. In the case of both the 6-foot coke-bed
effluent and the effluent from the laboratory vessel the numbers were found to vary from 10 to 100
per c.c., but there may have been more spores present, as the minimum amount of the liquid added to
the milk-tubes was O'Ol c.c.
In comparing the various results, it is noteworthy that although the number of spores of
B. enteritidis in the crude sewage exceeded those found in the 4-foot coke-bed effluent on two separate
occasions, the number on three other occasions was greatest in the 4-foot coke-bed effluent. In the
remaining five comparative experiments the numbers were approximately equal. As regards the crude
sewage and the 6-foot coke-bed effluent, the numbers were equal on July 6th, 20th, and 27th. On August
4th the number was greater in the crude sewage, and on August 9th greatest in the 6-foot coke-bed effluent.
The laboratory coke-bed effluent and the crude sewage gave an equal number on July 20th and August
9th, but on July 27th and August 4th the crude sewage contained a larger number of spores.
Judging these results as a whole, it cannot be said that the biological processes at work in the
coke-beds produced any significant alteration in the number of spores of this pathogenic anaerobe. This
is the less to be regretted since the effluents are discharged into a large tidal river* below locks, the water
of which is not used for drinking purposes. Still, it is to be thought of that the cultures of B. enteritidis
sporogenes are extremely virulent, and that Dr. Klein's results seem to prove that this anaerobe may be
causally related to acute diarrhoea. At all events, it is highly important from a practical as well as from
a scientific point of view to continue these observations on the number of spores of B. enteritidis in crude
sewage and in the effluents from the coke-beds.
The method for detecting the presence of the spores of this bacillus is as followsf—Dilute 1 part of crude
sewage or of effluent, as the case may be, with 99 parts of sterile water; of this dilution add l'O, 0'1, and O'Ol c.c.
severally to three sterile milk tubes. Heat the tubes to 80° C. for ten minutes, and cultivate anaerobically by
Buchner's method at a temperature of 37° C. In certain cases it is necessary to add as much as O'l c.c. of the crude
sewage or effluent directly to the milk tube. When B. enteritidis is present the casein is precipitated, the whey
remains nearly colourless, and there is a marked development of gas.J These changes in the milk commonly take
place in less than 24 hours. A guinea-pig inoculated subcutaneously with 1 c.c. of the whey, usually dies in less
than 24 hours, and presents, on post-mortem examination, appearances which are typical of enteritidis (extensive
gangrene, sanguineous exudation full of bacilli, etc.).
(a) Bacillus Goli Communis.§
In the First Report the results of a considerable number of experiments were given, showing that
B. coli was present in the crude sewage in numbers exceeding 100,000 per c.c., and it was stated that in future
* That Thames water itself contains the spores of B. enteritidis sporogenes may be seen by referring to
Table II.
f See page 3 of First Report. J See No. 14, plate I. of First Report.
§ In the First Report a number of illustrations were shown, illustrating the morphological and biological
characters of this micro-organism.
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