View report page

64
the public are better protected than they are at
present from the danger incurred in the consumption
of such questionable food, the evil will
continue.
There is little doubt that the traders in shell
fish would welcome any remedial legislation that
would restore public confidence in the wholesomeness
of their wares.
The whole question has been thoroughly
investigated by the Commissions engaged in the
enquiry relating to sewage treatment and disposal,
and in their fourth report—issued as far back as
December, 1903—they strongly advocated the remedial
measures referred to in the Annual Report
for 1908. Although this Commission went so far
as to express the opinion that " the evil was sufficiently
grave to demand a remedy" no steps appear
to have been taken by the Government to give
effect to their recommendations."
I reported the outbreak to the Local Government
Board and to the London County Council, and, by
direction of Sir Shirley Murphy, Dr. Hamer, the assistant
Medical Officer to the Council, made a careful investigation
into the whole circumstances of the epidemic in
Bethnal Green, Poplar and Stepney. An exhaustive
report was published in November last, which contains
full details of Dr. Hamer's investigations and his conclusions.
He considers that the outbreak was due to
the consumption of fried fish which had been imperfectly
cleansed prior to being cooked. Dr. Hamer records