LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 



BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY, 

 Washington, D. C., August 26, 1910. 



SIR: I have the honor to submit for your approval a report pre- 

 pared by G. W. Stiles, jr., bacteriological chemist of this Bureau, on 

 the contamination of shellfish by sewage-polluted water. The data 

 reported are based on an extensive and painstaking investigation 

 during which many localities have been inspected, the conditions care- 

 fully studied, and all the bacteriological data possible obtained. The 

 latter were found to corroborate the observations made during inspec- 

 tion. To no one, not even the consuming public, will this report be 

 of greater interest and benefit than to the industries concerned. That 

 Ihe danger noted exists to some degree in many localities no one can 

 deny, and that the danger is one that will increase unless intelligent 

 and efficient measures are taken to control it is equally obvious. The 

 investigations presented in this manuscript are of direct importance 

 to a proper consideration of such steps as may be indicated under the 

 food and drugs act to protect the public health, and to avoid decep- 

 tion. The report is in no sense intended to discredit the valuable in- 

 dustries concerned, but rather to point the way in which the products 

 of these industries may be accepted with greater confidence by the 

 public. It is believed that this report will assist in the furtherance 

 of this purpose, and I recommend that it be published as Bulletin 136 

 f the Bureau of Chemistry. 



Respectfully, H. W. WILEY, 



Chief of Bureau. 

 Hon. JAMES WILSON, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



