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"B. Enteritidis Sporogenes.—2 entire winkles were incubated anærobically in
litmus milk. One showed the typical Enteritidis change the other not.
"Streptococci.—Two tubes inoculated with winkle yielded both streptococci and
staphylococci.
"These facts point to definite sewage contamination and I should regard these
periwinkles as objectionable."
Further enquiries elicited the fact that the fish had been gathered practically in
the open sea, with little or no possibility of sewage pollution, so that it would appear
that the contamination must have occurred not at the gathering grounds but subsequently
in transit to the laboratory.
ENTERIC FEVER AND OYSTERS.
In the early part of December the circumstances attending a case of Enteric Fever
in a person residing in a neighbouring borough were inquired into.
The iliness occurred on the 20th October, and the patient was said to have
partaken of oysters on or about the 10th of the same month. The case was brought to
my notice on the 8th December. Although such a long period had elapsed before the
case was reported to me and the date of purchase of the oysters last consumed was
unknown, enquiries were instituted and the oysters traced through the hands of the
several dealers to the original beds, the position of which, so far as could be ascertained,
is satisfactory for oyster layings.
No evidence was obtained that established any connection between the case of
Enteric Fever in question and the consumption of oysters.
GLANDERS.
In accordance with Article 3 (3) of the Glanders and Farcy Order, 1907, the
Veterinary Inspector under the Diseases of Animals Acts notified one case of Glanders
in a horse at Custom House Quay on the 31st July last.
The animal was slaughtered and the carcase disposed of in the usual manner,
every precaution being taken to prevent contagion.
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.
In continuation of the policy adopted in connection with the outbreak of Foot and
Mouth Disease in 1912, the Local Government Board, when that disease again made
its appearance in the early part of the present year, issued a circular letter to Local
Authorities suggesting that Medical Officers of Health, Inspectors of Nuisances, and
Assistant Officers should exercise the strictest vigilance in the supervision of slaughterhouses
and abattoirs and other places where meat is deposited, prepared, or exposed
for sale. Accompanying this circular letter was a leaflet issued by the Board of
Agriculture describing the symptoms of Foot and Mouth Disease, and as the symptoms
therein enumerated may be of general assistance they are here reproduced:—
"FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.—SYMPTOMS.
"In the early stages of the disease the animal is lame and frequently smacks its lips,
and shows by the movement of its tongue that the mouth is the seat of suffering; and
the saliva flows freely from the mouth. An examination of the mouth shows the existence