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"only shellfish which is as a matter of custom almost invariably eaten quite raw
"is the oyster. Other shellfish such as lobsters, crabs and shrimps are always
"well boiled before consumption, and although these crustaceans are sometimes
"caught or stored in polluted localities, there is not sufficient evidence to involve
"them as having been responsible for outbreaks of enteric fever, although of
"course numerous persons have witlhin three weeks of the consumption of these
"articles of food developed enteric fever."
The remaining part of the report is occupied with a discussion as to the part
believed to have been played in reduction of enteric fever prevalence in certain towns by
limitation of the consumption of shellfish.
The report fully deals with the remedy, pointing out clearly that the law as at
present interpreted, does not prohibit the discharge of sewage into tidal water, and
comments upon the Oyster Bill, 1899, with reference to the authorities proposed to arm
with power to prevent the sale of oysters from polluted sources.
Dr. Bulstrode sums up his report as follows:—
"(a) That both enteric fever and gastro-enteritis are not infrequently caused by
"the consumption of mussels or cockles eaten raw or imperfectly cooked.
"(b) That the shellfish here in question are in many instances collected from
"natural scalps, beds or layings which are liable to become specifically polluted by
"sewage.
"(c) That even when these shellfish are procured from localities remote from
"the risks of pollution, they are at times washed, stored, or laid down in dangerous
"proximity to sewer or drain outfalls.
"(d) That the shellfish with which this report is concerned may occasionally
"become polluted, either specifically or otherwise, by the treatment to which they
"are subjected by the sellers.
"(e) That at the present time there is practically no control in a sanitary
"sense exercised over places from which these shellfish are collected, or wherein
"they are laid down, washed, or stored.
"(f) That large quantities of the shellfish here under consideration are
"introduced into England and Wales from Scotland and Ireland, and that, therefore,
"any regulations or restrictions to be effectual should apply to all parts of Great
"Britain and to Ireland.
"(g) That as large quantities of shellfish are introduced into this country
"from abroad, notably from Holland, France and America, any legislation directed
"to the control of the home industry must also take account of foreign
"importations.
"(h) That so long as the state of affairs revealed in this report obtains,
"both with regard to home and foreign shellfish, those persons who desire to avoid
"contraction of shellfish-borne enteric fever or gastro-enteritis should either abstain
"entirely from such shellfish as mussels or cockles, or consume thern only after
"they have been actually at the boiling point for at least five minutes.