44 



OYSTERS AND DISEASE. 



we have no evidence before us to show how far this is so in the case of the mud upon 

 which the oysters may be laid ; here it is possible that the bacillus might be capable 

 of a saprophytic existence. The observations of Loesener, Robertson, and others con- 

 cerning the duration of vitality of the B typhosus in artificially infected earth, would 

 tend to support such a view. 



Tables showing the Action of Sea-water upon the Growth of the B. typhosus. 



Experiment I. 



At time of mixing 



After 21 hours 



» 45 » •■• 



» 7i ,> 



„ 95 » ■•• 



„ 271 „ 

 „ 34o » ••• 



No. of Bacilli 

 29,250 

 20,475 

 9,945 



9,3°° 



5,850 



260 



11 



Experiment II. 



At time of mixing 

 After 21 hours... 



„ 45 », 



„ 7i „ ■■• 



» 95 ». 



„ 271 „ ... 



» 34° „ 



1,300 



1,105 



780 



650 



325 

 2 

 o 



Experiment III 



At time of mixing 

 After 5 hours 



,5 ~J) J, 



,| 48 „ 



„ 72 „ -.. 



,. 247 „ 



„ 316 „ ■•• 



22,750 



17,55° 

 I 1,700 



3,2 5° 

 3,260 



455 

 325 



Experiment IV. 



At time of mixing 

 After 6 hours... 



» ~j >, 



„ 48 „ ... 



„ 72 „ 



„ 247 „ ... 



,, 3l6 „ 



130 

 4' 

 3« 



38 



negative 



1 



o 



At time of mixing 

 After 172 hours 

 „ 244 „ 



Experiment V. 



31,200 



9,360 



325 



