SEWAGE CONTAMINATION OF OYSTER BEDS. 195 
Bacteriological examination of oysters from the common source 
revealed the presence of B. coli and B. enteritidis Girtner, but not 
B. typhosus. 
In the same year it was reported at a meeting of physicians at Pera, 
Turkey, that a large percentage of typhoid cases which occurred in 
Constantinople could be traced to the consumption of oysters from 
polluted sources. Examination demonstrated the presence of 2. colZ 
in many and of L. typhosus in a few specimens. 
Also, in 1902, an extremely large number of typhoid cases was re- 
ported in Atlantic Citv, N. J., during the summer months. <A very 
careful investigation of the sanitary condition of the water supply, 
the milk and food supply, and of the sewage-disposal system was 
made by Philip Marvel. He came to the conclusion that the increase 
in the number of these cases was due, in a great measure, to oysters 
fattened near the outlet of one of the city sewers. 
In November, 1902, occurred also the famous ‘‘ oyster epidemics” 
at Winchester and Southampton, England, which were investigated 
by Doctor Bulstrode and reported to the local government board in 
May, 1908. At two banquets given by the mayors of these cities 267 
guests were present. Shortly after the dinners 118 of the guests were 
attacked with gastroenteritis, and all of these had eaten raw oysters. 
Twenty-one cases of typhoid fever, 5 of which were fatal, also de- 
veloped as a result of eating the oysters. 
Doctor Fraser reports an epidemic of typhoid fever at Portsmouth, 
where 25 persons were attacked with this disease after eating raw 
oysters. 
In 1904 the following facts in regard to typhoid due to infected 
oysters were published in the fourth report of the commissioners of 
sewage disposal: 
Doctor Nash, health officer at Southard-on-Sea, states that 50 per 
cent of ihe cases of enteric fever at that town were due to consumption 
of shellfish from sources contaminated by sewage. Out of 105 cases of 
that disease at least 85 bore some connection to polluted shellfish; also 
that the number of cases occurring at Yarmouth was greatly reduced 
after the sale of mussels was stopped in that town. 
Doctor Newsholme, of Brighton, makes the following statement in 
regard to the cases of typhoid occurring in that city during the years 
1894 to 1902: ‘*‘ There were 648 reported during this period; 158 cases 
were directly ascribable to the consumption of oysters and 80 to other 
shelltish. In other words, 37 per cent of the total number of cases is 
due to polluted shellfish.” In the opinion of Doctor Newsholme the 
extent of the illness attributable to shellfish is probably understated. 
Doctor Niven, of Manchester, reports 274 cases of typhoid out of 
2,664 occurring in that city during the years 1897 to 1902, inclusive, 
as due to the consumption of shellfish. 
