THE INVESTIGATION OF A TYPICAL EPIDEMIC 471 



fected water, they are frequently contaminated by the people 

 who gather, ship, or otherwise handle them. The same safe- 

 guards which have been established to protect milk from pollu- 

 tion at each and every stage of its handling must be exercised 

 in the handling of oysters. 



A number of the remedies have been suggested in order to pre- 

 vent similar epidemics of typhoid fever. The shores and water 

 that have been set apart for oyster beds should be constantly 

 guarded and examined. Sewage and the contents of cesspools 

 should not be emptied near them. Boats, both pleasure and com- 

 mercial, should be prohibited in such districts. Oysters from a 

 polluted stream should not be transplanted. The gathering, pack- 

 ing and shipping of all shellfish should be efficiently supervised, 

 and the people who handle them in any way should receive fre- 

 quent and thorough examinations. 



In the summer of 1928, tests were made of the waters of vari- 

 ous bathing beaches near different cities and in many cases the 

 water was found to be polluted. The Commissioners of Health 

 suggested that bathing be prohibited in these places. This was 

 not done as certain authorities claimed that the value of the sun- 

 shine and bathing was so great, and that it was so possible and 



In New York city there has been a steady decrease of deaths from typhoid fever since pas- 

 teurization of milk has been required. 



