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The Medical Officer gave evidence that a heat of 300° to 400° Fahr. would kill bacteria,
and moulds but would not necessarily destroy their products of putrefaction, which were equivalent
to various poisonous alkaloids. The coffee would be so altered in character that it would lose its
good properties and be no longer wholesome. It would be likely to set up gastro-intestinal
disturbances, and might convey typhoid germs in the same way as boiled sewage. Bacterial
products could not be given in chemical formula, but they included various toxines. Alcohol
was a bacterial product. Caffeine, the active principle of coffee, was not destroyed in the
roasting, and it might, therefore, be presumed that toxic alkaloids would survive the process.
Coffee itself was not an antiseptic, and people handling dirty, filthy coffee like this might
impregnate good coffee.
Dr. Eyre, bacteriologist for Guy's Hospital, examined the berries bacteriologically, and
found there was evidence of at least 250 to 500 of the bacillus coli, also the bacillus of
sewage and various other organisms were present. In other words the coffee acted as a
cultivating medium, and the bacilli multiplied in it, so that its actual condition was worse than
Thames water. He thought that drinking this coffee would be likely to produce gastro-intestinal
trouble.
Dr. Hugh Candy, Analyst to the London Hospital; Mr. E. J. Friswell, President to the
Institute of Chemistry; and Dr.F.J.Smith, of Harley Street, gave evidence for the defence.
The following comments on the case appeared in the "Lancet" of February 4th, 1905: —
Coffee and Sewage.
"A rather strange decision seems to have been arrived at in a case which was
concluded at the Southwark police court on January 24th after an adjournment from the
preceding week. The application made by the Chief Sanitary Inspector of the Borough
of Bermondsey was for the destruction of 60 tons of coffee salvaged from a ship which
had been sunk in the Thames and the summons was taken out in order to prevent the
berries from being dried and sold for human consumption. The evidence of Dr.R.K.Brown,
Medical Officer of Health for Bermondsey, of Dr.J.W.H.Byre, and of
Mr. Bodmer was to the effect that the coffee was moist, sodden, permeated with sewage,
and unfit for food purposes. Although they admitted that the necessary roasting
might modify the dangerous conditions they declined to say that the subsequent
decoction would thereby be rendered a wholesome beverage. On the other side,
Mr. Friswell, of Great Tower Street, said that he had drunk coffee made from the
sewage-laden berries without untoward results. Dr.F.J.Smith also gave evidence
that he was prepared to do the same, but that he "would not do so for choice." The
magistrate, Mr.C.Chapman, appears to have been satisfied that the usual roasting
process was sufficient to render the coffee fit for the food of man and dismissed the
application. If he could have ordered that the stuff when sold retail should be labelled
"coffee and sewage," so that the purchaser would have the same choice in purchasing
that the law gives him in the case of admixture with chicory, the matter might have
passed without comment. Few, even when tempted by a cheaper price, would be likely
to buy coffee if they knew that it had undergone soaking in the diluted products of the
metropolitan drainage system, although the decision of the learned magistrate would
seem to be a certificate that 60 tons possibly saturated in varying degrees will make a
safe and wholesome drink for those who will partake of it. According to the "Standard"
it now appears that Mr.Rose, at Southwark police court, refused to revoke his Order
for the destruction of the coffee in spite of Mr.Chapman holding with regard to a
portion of it that it was fit for human consumption. If this be so, we congratulate
Mr. Rose on his attitude."
The rest of the coffee was subsequently destroyed to the satisfaction of the customs, by
mixing with quicklime, with the intention, it is stated, of it being used for manure. This was
permitted on the Desiccated Grain Co. giving a guarantee that it was not intended for human
food.
Bacteriological Laboratory.
The total number of specimens examined during 1905 was 402, against 432 in 1904.
There is somewhat more advantage taken by medical practitioners in sending in diphtheria
swabs, 108 being sent in against 91 in the previous year.
Number
Examined.
Result of Examination.
Positive
Result.
Negative
Result.
Nature of Specimen.
Diphtheria (specimens taken by Medical 119 14 105
Officer of Health)
Ditto (taken by medical practitioners) 108 20 88
Diphtheria (total specimens taken) ... 227 34 193
yiu UOjl UCUiXVA-iy •" I iJiJI «•*■ '
Tubercle| 156 48 108
Enteric i 15 j 3 12
I 1 r%
Various 4 2 2
~~ — ; 7~ ~~ i
Total specimens taken 402 j 87 j 315