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"aspect and mode of growth colonies of B. typhosus. Examined under the micro"scope
only four gave the primary tests for B. typhosus, viz.: being cylindrical
"motile bacilli in size like those of B. typhosus. Analysed by sub-culture it was
"found, however, that one was a liquifier, two others were B. fluorescens puttidus
"(forming bluish pigment). The fourth failed to give any indication of clumping
"with typhoid serum, and failed to grow in phenel-broth-
"It is, therefore, clear that no B. typhosus was isolated from this sample
"I think at the same time that the oysters were highly polluted, containing
"abundance of B. col: communis, proteus vulgaris, and bacillus fluorescens
"puttidus."
A copy of this analysis was sent to the Fishmongers' Company and the
salesman informed as to the condition of the oysters. In an interview with
him some difficulty was found in ascertaining exactly the source from which
they were derived, and further samples were taken and submitted to analysis
with the following result :—
" Re Samples of Oysters received November 28th.
"These oysters were examined in exactly the same manner as the previous
"sample, viz. :—By Drigalski plates.
"The result of this examination showed the presence in all of the oysters of
"abundance of B. coli communis. A large number of colonies simulating
"B. typhosus were tested, and were found that none of them complied with the
"character of B. typhosus.
"Owing to the abundance of B. coli communis, I consider these oysters unclean."
On the 3rd December, further samples were taken from so-called
"Whitstable" and "Dutch" Oysters, the result of this analysis is as follows :—
" Re Samples of Oysters, No. 3 and No. 4.
"Received in the afternoon of December 3rd, by Inspector Hills, labelled :—
"Sample No. 3—Whitstable.
"Sample No. 4—Dutch.
"The result of the bacterioscopic analysis of these samples is as follows :—
"Whitstable Oysters No. 3.
"On opening, two or three were found shrivelled up and discoloured, no liquor in
"shell.
"Of eight oysters, five contain abundance of B. coli communis. One further
"oyster contains some other kind of B. coli. All of them contain the spores of B.
"enteritidis sporogenes. A Drigalski plate made with one-fifth c.c. of shell-water
"contains great crowds of microbic colonies, capable of growing at 37° C., amongst
"them some colonies of Porteus vulgaris.
"Dutch Oysters No. 4.
"Of eight oysters, six have abundance of B. coli communis, one further oyster
"has some kind of B. coli. Half of them have spores of B. enteritidis sporogenes.
"A Drigalski plate made with one-fifth c.c. of shell-water contains very numerous
"colonies, capable of growing at 37° C.