CONCLUSIONS. 55 



17. We have shown the frequent presence, in various shellfish, of anaerobic spore- 

 bearing bacilli showing the characteristics of the B. enteritidis sporogenes recently described 

 by Klein. 



18. Consequently, as the result of our investigations and the consideration of 

 much evidence, both from the Oyster Growers and the Public Health Officer's point of 

 view, we beg to recommend — 



(a) That the necessary steps should be taken to induce the oyster trade to remove 

 any possible suspicion of sewage contamination from the beds and layings 

 from which oysters are supplied to the market. This could obviously be 

 effected in one of two ways : either (1) by restrictive legislation and the licensing 

 of beds only after due inspection by the officials of a Government Department ; 

 or (2) by the formation of an Association amongst the Oyster Growers and 

 Dealers themselves, which should provide for the due periodic examination of 

 the grounds, stores, and stock, by independent, properly qualified inspectors. 

 Scientific assistance and advice given by such independent inspectors would 

 go far to improve the condition of the oyster-beds and layings, to reassure the 

 public, and to elevate the oyster industry to the important position which 

 it should occupy. 



(/>) Oysters imported from abroad (Holland, France, or America) should be 

 consigned to a member of the suggested " Oyster Association," who should 

 be compelled by the regulations to have his foreign oysters as carefully 

 inspected and certified as those from his home layings. A large proportion 

 of the imported oysters are, however, deposited in our waters for such a 

 period before going to market, that the fact of their having originally come 

 from abroad may be ignored. If this period of quarantine were imposed 

 upon all foreign oysters, a great part of the difficulty as to inspection and 

 certification would be removed. 



(c) The grounds from which mussels, cockles, and periwinkles are gathered should 

 be periodically examined by scientific inspectors in the same manner as the 

 oyster-beds. The duty of providing for this inspection might well, we should 

 suggest, be assumed by the various Sea Fisheries Committees around the coast* 



* Since the above was written, and published in a preliminary abstract of this memoir, we are glad to 

 learn that (1) the "British Oyster Industries Association" has been formed, and (2) an Oyster Bill has been laid 

 before Parliament. If the Association takes a sufficiently high view of its responsibilities and duties, the provisions 

 of the Bill will become unnecessary. 



