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This sample was submitted to Dr. Klein for examination, who, on the
17th December, reported:—
"I consider these oysters distinctly sewage-polluted, and unsafe for consumption."
On the 18th December a further case of Enteric Fever, in which oysters
were implicated, was reported by the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth,
and here again the local fishmonger obtained his supplies from
C. Wood, of Billingsgate.
Another sample (11a) of "Gann's Princesses" was therefore taken at
Mr. Wood's shop on the 18th December and submitted to Dr. Klein, who
reported on the 21st December that they were " decidedly polluted."
On the 22nd December an Inspector was instructed to purchase 100
"Gann's Princesses" at Charles Wood's, who stated he had none in stock at
the time, and referred him to Gann's shop, 11, Lower Thames Street, E.C.,
where 100 of these oysters were seized on the ground that they were
unwholesome.
The oysters in question were taken to the Mansion House, and application
made to the Lord Mayor for a Condemnation Order under the provisions
of Section 47 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891. The Lord Mayor
adjourned the case to the 28th December to enable Dr. Klein to make an
examination of a sample (13a) of the 100 oysters then before the Court.
At the further hearing on the 28th December, the result of Dr. Klein's
analysis to the following effect was put in by your Medical Officer of Health:—
" December 24th, 1903.
"Re SAMPLE OF OYSTERS 13a, 'GANN'S PRINCESSES.'
"The analysis made shows that of twelve oysters eight have bacillus coli communis
"in numbers.
"This proves that these oysters are decidedly sewage-polluted, to the amount of
"over 60 per cent., and therefore I consider them not safe for human consumption.
(Signed) "E. KLEIN."
Counsel for the Defendants did not attempt to contest the fact of sewage
pollution, and gave an undertaking that "Gann's Princesses" would be at
once withdrawn and not again offered for sale.
The Lord Mayor made the usual Order for condemnation under the Public
Health (London) Act of the 100 oysters seized on the 22nd December.
An undertaking has since been received from the chairman of the Company
that they will discontinue the sale of any oysters (including "natives") from
the "Pollard" layings at Whitstable during the remainder of the season, and
sell only off the "Ham" ground. This latter is in deep water, some miles
from the shore, and apparently free from pollution.