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133
fact, and, moreover, was directed to the depreciation which must result to the
value of this certificate if mussels so polluted continued to be accompanied
thereby.
Outbreaks of Enteric Fever were reported from various parts of London in
September, and the only source of possible infection found in common was the
consumption of mussels.
A sample of mussels taken from "layings" in Lympstone, South
Devon, in the neighbourhood of the River Exe, was obtained on the 20th
September at Billingsgate Market, and submitted to Dr. Klein, who reported:—
"At least 180 B.coli communis per mussel: anaerobic spores about 9 per mussel.
"No microbes belonging to the typhoid Gaertner group. Result:— Mussels
"passable."
Mussels from Lympstone were the subject of enquiry in December, 1908,
when it was ascertained that the locality had been under the supervision of
the Fishmongers' Company, and that arrangements had been made for mussels
to be gathered from an approved shoal.
On the same date that the above sample was taken, a sample was also
procured of North Dutch mussels, and an examination of these by Dr. Klein
gave the following results:—
"Some of these mussels contain black mud within the shell. Between 900 and
"1,000 B.coli communis per mussel. Anaerobic spores about 10 per mussel.
"Fairly numerous microbes belonging to the Gaertner group. Result:— Mussels
"not clean."
These mussels, which were accompanied by a similar certificate referred to
in connection with the Islington outbreak, are said to have been taken from
the open sea in the neighbourhood of the Zuyder Zee, and nowhere near any
inhabited coast, but it is evident from the analysis that at the time of
examination they were largely polluted.
On the 21st September a sample of South Dutch mussels was taken and
submitted to Dr. Klein for examination, with the following result:—
"Less than 80 B.coli communis per mussel. Anaerobic spores about 8 per
"mussel. No microbes of the Gaertner typhoid group. Result:— Mussels
"passable."
This consignment was accompanied by the certificate referred to above,
which I would point out only refers to the purity of the layings or ponds, and
not to the mussels themselves, and although I am not prepared to support the
suggestion made by the Consul-General for the Netherlands that the contamination
has resulted in transit or on this side, that phase of the question must
not be overlooked.