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52
shooting galleries. Specimens of the "ice cream" and of the glass
washing water were submitted to Dr. Klein for bacterioscopic examination,
and this gentleman stated that numberless microbes were found
in the "cream" and in the water. The most conspicuous microbe
was one which is "a normal inhabitant of the bowels of men and
animals," and therefore "water which contains this microbe had in
all probability been polluted with excremental matter." The microbe
of putrid decomposition was also present. Dr. Klein likewise found
another microbe of a kind which he had recently isolated from the
intestinal contents of a child who had died from acute diarrhoea.
Microbes resembling those causing typhoid fever also existed. These
germs would undergo incredible multiplication when taken into the
system. No doubt the cause of the presence of these microbes in the
"ice cream" was due to the uncleanly habits of the individuals who
manufactured it, and to their insanitary surroundings. The ices may
have been left standing for hours in the foulest atmosphere. In a
number of the Lancet it was stated that it was found that "ice creams"
were mixed—sometimes boiled—in the same saucepans and cauldrons
employed to cleanse dirty linen. Dr. Klein's opinion was that these
people "should no longer be allowed the license of distributing the
germs of disease broadcast."
In 1892, an outbreak of typhoid fever occurred in the south-east
of London, which was attributed to the eating of infected ice creams
made by Italians living in that district. The water used for diluting
the article was taken from a water closet cistern, a person reputed to
be suffering from enteric fever being in the house at the time. The
Public Health Committee of the London County Council, under
whose notice this outbreak came, felt that to regulate the sale of a
particular article of food raised a question of great magnitude, but
that the proper remedy was the efficient application of the general
provisions of the Public Health (London) Act. I instructed the
Inspectors to inspect all places, more especially confectioners'
premises, where ice creams were likely to be made. In one of the