View report page

136
Of Sample 3, bacillus coli communis and the spores of bacillus enteritidis
sporogenes were isolated.
Of Sample 4, no bacillus coli communis, the same coli-like or typhoid-like
bacillus as of Samples 1 and 2; spores of bacillus enteritidis sporogenes were
found abundant.
Of Sample 6 (cooked, from Leigh-on-Sea) were obtained no bacillus coli
communis ; a coli-like microbe, numerous spores of bacillus enteritidis sporogenes.
Of Sample 5, raw cockles from Leigh-on-Sea, were isolated a colon-like
bacillus, which is cylindrical, but not very mobile, which in plate and in streak
culture is more like typhoid than coli, but which tested with typhoid blood gives
no agglutinating reaction, even as 1 in 20 in one hour. Its other further characters
are at present under observation†.
From this sample we obtained also numerous spores of bacillus enteritidis
sporogenes. It ought to be added that of the raw cockles only the interior of the
stomach was examined, so as to place it on the same footing as the other samples
of cooked cockles.
From this analysis I conclude that all these cockles had evidence of sewage
pollution in their interior, some, like Samples 1, 2 and 6, more so than others.
Sample No. 7, "cooked" cockles were received on December 20th, yielded
bacillus coli communis in abundance, a variety of bacillus coli which is characterised
by being extremely motile and cylindrical. In streak and plate culture it resembles
the typhoid bacillus, but its emulsion gives no sign of agglutination with typhoid
blood as 1 in 20 in one hour. This typhoid blood is capable of agglutinating the
laboratory typhoid bacillus as 1 in 100 within ten minutes.
In addition to these microbes numerous spores of bacillus enteritidis sporogenes
were demonstrated by culture in the interior of these cockles.
If it be remembered that bacillus coli communis, as also all varieties of bacillus
coli and bacillus typhosus, are killed without fail by exposure to heat of 160 deg.
Fahrenheit (70 to 71 deg. C.), then it follows that the cooking process of these
cockles must have been performed in a very perfunctory manner, that is to say,
the temperature of the water to which they were exposed must have been
considerably below that of boiling water, 212 deg. F.; indeed below 155 deg. F.
(Signed) E. KLEIN.
* This Sample 2, as also 3 and 4, were received on December 13th.
†Addendum—This microbe "bubbles" (ferments) gelatine, it produces acid and clots milk. From these facts
the microbe can with certainty be declared as non-typhoid.
Thus in all the samples examined by Professor Klein there is clear evidence
that sewage contamination existed in a marked degree. The fact that* he
failed to demonstrate the presence of the bacillus typhosus is extremely
interesting from a scientific point of view, but is of minor importance in
considering cockles from a dietetic point of view. There cannot be any
question as to the absolute necessity for prohibiting the use of food which is
known to be contaminated with sewage matter, and there is, further, the
obvious fact that with such sewage may be associated at any moment the
bacilli of any of the infectious diseases which are conveyed therein.
* In a later sample (No. 10) the presence of the typhoid bacillus was definitely demonstrated.