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The condition of this sample of Early June Peas cannot in any way be
compared with those I examined on the 7th May. The peas then examined
were slimy and had an offensive smell; the liquid was acid and had become
gelatinous, and fermentation was undoubtedly going on.
(Signed) J. KEAR COLWELL.
London, June 19th, 1903.
Subsequently, Mr. Colwell found that the volume of gas present in one
of these tins which had been kept for a month at a cold temperature was
25.2 cubic centimetres, as compared with 28.8 cubic centimetres in a tin
kept for a similar period on a warm shelf in a shop, and 310 cubic centimetres
of gas in a tin kept at blood heat.
(ii) Bacteriological Report.
REPORT OX THE BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF SAMPLE
TINS OF "PRESERVED PEAS."
The sample tins of "preserved peas" examined were received on the
following dates :—
Samples "A" and "B" on 10th June, 1903, and
Sample "C" on 17th June, 1903.
A preliminary report on these samples, dated 19th June, 1903, was
submitted as follows :—
Three tins of "preserved peas," labelled "Early June Peas," have
been received for examination; the first two (tins A and B) were received
in the laboratory on the 10th June, and the third on the 17th June.
On opening tin A a smell of a peculiar mouldy and very disagreeable
character was obvious. The contents of the tin consisted of peas and a
turbid liquor. The reaction of the liquor was strongly acid. A quantity of
the liquor was transferred by means of sterilise i pipettes to various culture
media, and on some of the media thus inoculated a growth of a microorganism
was obtained after incubation.
I have not yet completed my examination of the contents of tin A, but
the facts obtained thus far indicate that these contents had undergone some
fermentative change, and were unfit for use as food. My examination
of tins B and C has not progressed sufficiently far to enable me to give even
a preliminary report with regard to them.
The subsequent report for August 18th, continues :—
Various culture media were inoculated from the contents of each tin,
and incubated at temperatures of 22°C. and 37°C., some under ordinary
aerobic and others under anaerobic conditions.
(i) The contents of tin "A," incubated on nutrient-gelatin at a
temperature of 22°C., yielded a growth of a fine bacillus, which