54 RepPorRT OF THE BACTERIOLOGIST OF THE 
that the trouble could be prevented by increasing the temperature 
of processing. 
While he gave but a hint as to the characteristics of the causal 
organism. it would seem to be slightly different from the one 
with which we had to deal in the present outbreak. 
THE OUTBREAK AT THE FACTORY. 
The New York factory where the outbreak occurred had been 
processing peas in 2 lb. cans at! 230° F. (110° C.) for 30 minutes * 
for a number of seasons with good results. In 1902 they began 
on Alaska peas on June 20; and on July 10 swelling was evident 
in the stock room. 
At this date a portion of the peas had already been shipped 
but those remaining in stock and not swelled were reheated at 
238° F. (1144° C.) for 35 minutes. After this heating, all cans 
where the fermentation had started remained bulged on cooling. 
Those where it had not yet started were rendered sterile. The 
loss was practically total on all goods which had been shipped 
and in those reheated graded down to almost nothing on the 
pack of the preceding day. An examination of the reheated 
goods showed that they were in good condition except for a 
slight cooked taste ’due to the double heating. “During the re- 
mainder of the season the peas were processed at 238° F. (1144° 
C.) for 35 minutes with very little loss. 
THE SWELLED CANS. 
Externally the cans presented the usual bulged appearance, 
the bulge showing more quickly at blood heat and increasing 
with lapse of time. In some cases the side seams gave way, in 
others the tops were blown off, widely scattering the contents. 
The peas emitted a disagreeable stench tinged with the odor of 
hydrogen sulphide. The bodies of the peas were mushy and the 
skins inflated with gas, like miniature balloons. The liquor was 
darkened and of a greenish tinge due to the small particles of 
the ruptured peas. 
Occasionally cans were found which did not agree with this 
description. These were usually but slightly swelled and the 
odor of the contents was acid but not especially disagreeable. 
The peas appeared about normal but the liquid was distinctly 
