104 
Sufficient time has not yet elapsed to make a complete 
bacteriological analysis of the mussels. We have only 
attempted to demonstrate whether or not the mussel bed 
was grossly contaminated with sewage matter, and whether 
the fish had been feeding on the sewage. The stomachs of 
a dozen fish were examined, as well as the water in the 
shells. All the stomachs, with the exception of two (which 
were sterile), contained sewage bacteria in quantity. 
In the examination of the stomach contents, cultures 
were made on phenolised agar, on Dr. Grunbaum’s neutral- 
red, bile-salt, agar medium. and in milk tubes. The object 
of the first two ecultivations was to isolate bacteria of 
intestinal origin, and of the latter, to isolate Bacillus 
enteritidis sporogenes. Hardly any bacteria except those 
belonging to the ‘ colon-group’ and the ‘typhoid-Gaertner ’ 
eroups grow on these media. The presence of colon 
bacteria in any quantity in water or in an article of food 
is regarded by most bacteriologists as undoubted evidence 
of fecal contamination. Bacillus enteritidis sporogenes 
is a virulent bacterium which is regarded by Dr. Klein as 
the cause of certain outbreaks of epidemic diarrhea. The 
presence of these bacilli together is regarded as certain 
evidence of sewage pollution. 
Both of these groups of bacteria were found in nearly 
all of the mussels examined. Colon bacteria were abundant 
in all the cultures made. Bacillus enteritidis sporogenes 
was not so abundant, but was present in all the special 
cultures made to determine its presence, and gave all the 
characteristic reactions. There is no doubt then, that this 
mussel bed is grossly contaminated with sewage matter, 
on which the shell-fish have been feeding, and_ that, 
consequently, if used as food these mussels may be, in 
certain circumstances, the source of grave danger.” 
