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The report of Professor Klein on these samples is as follows:—
St. Bartholomew's Hospital and College,
August 16th, 1902.
Re ICE CREAMS.
(Samples Nos. 7 and 8, received August 11th.)
No. 7 contained very large numbers of bacteria, amongst them some virulent
proteus and virulent bacillus coli. Guinea-pig injected with the ice cream was
dead within 20 hours, extensive inflammation with sanguineous exudation in
groin, abdomen and chest.
Sample No. 8 contained very few microbes. Guinea-pig injected with the ice
cream remained well and lively.
(Samples Nos. 9 and 10, received August 12th.)
Sample No. 9 contained very few cocci. Guinea-pig injected with the ice
cream remained quite well and lively.
Sample No. 10 contained very few cocci and some spores of bacillus mesentericus
(harmless). Guinea-pig injected with the ice cream remained quite well and lively.
(Samples Nos. 11 and 12, received August 13th.)
Sample No. 11 contained comparatively few microbes, chiefly cocci. Guineapig
injected with the ice cream remained quite well and lively.
Sample No. 12 contained comparatively few microbes, sporing bacillus mesentericus,
and bacillus coli. The guinea-pig injected with the ice cream remained quite
well and lively.
E. KLEIN.
Sample No. 13 was taken on the 21st August at No. 20, Artillery Lane,
from a bucket. The material had been boiled on the 20th.
Sample No. 14 was taken at the same time from an uncovered churn of
milk on the same premises.
Sample No. 15, taken at No. 20, Artillery Lane, on the 22nd August, from
the same bulk as No. 13, but after freezing. It had been frozen on the
22nd August, in the early morning.
In the forenoon of the same day I received notice from Professor Klein that
No. 13 was poisonous. The bulk from which the sample had been taken was
therefore seized as unfit for food, under the provisions of the Public Health
Act.
The ice cream found in the original bucket was taken before the sitting
magistrate on the morning of the 23rd, who, after hearing evidence as to the
dangerous nature of the material, and the progress of the investigation called
for by the cases of sickness which had been attributed to this cause, at once
condemned it, and issued the usual formal order for its destruction.
The following is a copy of Professor Klein's certificate relating to this
sample:—
St. Bartholomew's Hospital and College,
August 22nd, 1902.
I certify that the sample of ice cream No. 13 is, on microscopic and experimental
evidence, poisonous and unfit for the food of man.
E. KLEIN, M.D., F.R.S.