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"the spores of the bacillus enteritidis sporogenes, and the result was practically
the same as stated of the water, viz., abundance of bacillus coli communis and of
"spores of bacillus enteritidis in 1/10 cc.
"C. Cockles, No. 10.—Twelve of the cockles were used, only the exterior being
"employed. The result was this :—All cockles contained the bacillus coli communis
"and the spores of bacillus enteritidis. In one (possibly two) cockle, we isolated,
"besides, a microbe, which, so far as was possible in the two days, answers to the
"tests of typhoid bacillus, but, of course, this time is not sufficient to make a definite
"statement on the subject. I may, however, add that typhoid blood agglutinates
"the emulsion of the bacillus in question as 1 in 100, better, of course, as 1 in 50.
"E. KLEIN."
Subsequently Dr. Klein reported that the typhoid bacillus, or, at any rate, a
bacillus corresponding to it and answering all tests of the bacilli typhosus, was
discovered in these cockles.
These investigations were contemporary with others carried out on behalf
of the Public Health Department of the City and the Fishmongers' Company.
The results which have been published in every case pointed to the same
danger, and while immediate steps were taken to prohibit the sale in London
of shellfish from this source, your Committee proceeded to personally inspect
the various sewage outfalls in the Thames Estuary within your jurisdiction.
The first inspection of this kind took place on the 25th February, and
comprised the oyster layings in Stangate Creek, the sewage outfalls of Sheerness
at West Minster, the Naval Hospital, School of Gunnery, and
Garrison Point Fort, also an outfall from the Royal Dockyard at Rats Bay.
Your Committee observed the pollution in the immediate neighbourhood
of some of these outfalls, and witnessed the collection of shellfish from the
foreshore within a quarter of a mile of the outfall of a sewer.
The importance of the subject at once became manifest.
On the 10th March your Committee proceeded to the Barrow Deeps and
witnessed the operation of discharging sludge from the vessels of the London
County Council.
On the 29th April your Committee proceeded to Leigh-on-Sea and received a
deputation of Cocklers and Fishermen. Subsequently an inspection was
made of the cockle layings and the preparation of the cockles for market,
previously described.
As a result of these investigations, it was recommended to and approved by
the Court of Common Council that the Corporation as the Port Sanitary
Authority should offer to give evidence before the Royal Commission on
Sewage Disposal.