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has been found by experience that shellfish taken from a place apparently
beyond suspicion occasionally show evidence of marked sewage contamination
due to an intermittent or new source of pollution.
STORAGE OF OYSTERS IN RETAIL SHOPS.
The question of the influence of improper storage upon the wholesomeness
of oysters having been raised by the wholesale trade, an enquiry was
made into the conditions under which they were kept in retail establishments.
In practically all cases it was found that supplies were received daily, and
as the traders are able to fairly accurately gauge their requirements there is
but little need for storage. The minimum is generally obtained, and any
increased call met by fresh purchase.
Those which are of necessity left over from one day are used on the next,
and no oysters are kept more than two days.
Many of the traders state that they invariably return to the wholesale
dealer any surplus stock, some use those kept more than 24 hours for cooking
only, while in a few cases there is definite evidence that such oysters are
actually returned to the beds or layings, and their place supplied by fresh.
They are received in bags and are not kept in water during the whole time
of storage. Generally speaking, they are cleansed by scrubbing and washing
before being placed in the receptacles, but in some instances this important
precaution is disregarded.
Not only is there a possibility of contaminated mud, &c., being conveyed
direct to the interior of the " fish," but there is the certainty of fouling the
water in which they are placed.
The oysters, after being externally cleansed, should be placed in clean
white enamelled or glazed earthenware pans or dishes, with or without the
addition of water containing salt, which should be changed from time to time
as it becomes foul.
The use of metal or wooden vessels is objectionable, on account of the great
difficulty in keeping them reasonably clean.
The advantages of a smooth white receptacle are that it can be readily
cleansed, and shows at once the presence of dirt.
Special receptacles have been manufactured for this purpose, but at present
these are being but little used.