12 SEWAGE-POLLUTED OYSTERS AS CAUSE OF TYPHOID. 



ticut, who reported the Wesley an oyster epidemic of 1894 ; Dr. William 

 H. Park, of New York City, whose opinions were valued because of 

 his extensive researches; Prof. Frederick P. Gorham, of Brown Uni- 

 versity, Providence, R. I., who has for many years been actively 

 engaged in making examinations of oysters and studying sanitary 

 conditions; and Dr. H. D. Pease, now director of the Lederle Labo- 

 ratories of New York City, who actually did the oyster work for the 

 New York State board of health reported in 1904, and who has since 

 that time made extensive examinations of oysters and grounds for 

 private individuals in that State. Under the direction of Dr. Pease 

 an independent investigation of the Minisink epidemic was made 

 subsequent to the writer's first visit at Goshen on November 17, 

 1911. His conclusions are in accord with those submitted in this 

 report. 



After consulting the scientists above mentioned, it was considered 

 desirable to obtain further information, particularly with reference 

 to shipments of oysters from the same source to other places. Ac- 

 cordingly, on January 18, 1912, the fourth trip was made to Goshen 

 and neighboring towns, one entire week being given to the collection 

 of additional data, and on February 7, 1912, the fifth and last trip 

 was made to Rochester, N. Y., in connection with this epidemic. 



In collecting this information more than 200 people, including 

 health officers, doctors, teachers, and laymen, were interviewed. 

 Nearly all of these individuals were intelligent, educated men and 

 women. 



DATA COLLECTED BY CORRESPONDENCE. 



After the personal visits made to individuals who were in attend- 

 ance at the Minisink banquet the following letter, accompanied by a 

 copy of the menu card used on this occasion, was sent to approxi- 

 mately 170 people. The names and addresses of the people who 

 were present at this banquet were, obtained largely by reference to a 

 group picture taken during that day. The individuals were identified 

 from the picture by persons who were well acquainted with them, 

 but the list was verified during the personal visits and by subsequent 

 correspondence . 



JANUARY 31, 1912. 



SIR: During the past three months our bacteriological chemist, Dr. George W. 

 Stiles, has been collecting information relative to the cause of illness following the 

 Minisink banquet given at Music Hall, Goshen, N. Y., on October 5, 1911. 



In order to complete the data obtained by him and to make our records more valuable 

 we desire to enlist your further cooperation in this matter. Please fill out the inclosed 

 blank after you have read it carefully, and answer each question to the best of your 

 knowledge and belief. 



This information will be considered strictly confidential and only the facts and not 

 the names will be used for our report. 



An addressed return envelope is inclosed which requires no postage. 

 Respectfully, 



H. W. WILEY, Chief. 



