PUBLIC FISHERIES FOR SHELLFISH 207 



in their district, and of the sewers and drains which discharge in 

 their vicinity. They have also from time to time made valuable 

 bacteriological examinations of the waters and shellfish in different 

 places, and have conducted experiments as regards the re-laying 

 of shellfish, which are likely to prove of permanent value both to 

 the shellfish industry itself and to the public health. Although, 

 therefore, it might not be desirable, or, indeed, practicable, to place 

 the administration of health measures in the hands of the Sea 

 Fisheries Committees, the co-operation of these bodies is in every 

 way desirable, and it might be the duty of their officers to draw 

 attention to any unwholesome practices in connection with shell- 

 fish which they observed in the course of their routine inspectorial 

 duties." 



Not only has the Lancashire and Western Committee endeavoured 

 to cope with the problem in the manner indicated by Dr. Bulstrode, 

 but it has taken other steps with a view of eliminating this grave 

 risk to public health. Before passing on to consider these steps, it 

 is necessary briefly to review the manner in which shellfish are 

 liable to contamination by sewage or deleterious organisms. Cockles 

 and mussels are liable to contamination in one of four ways : — 



1. On the beds where they are living and growing. 



2. Whilst being prepared by the fishermen for the market through 

 being washed in foul water. 



3. During storage, either in tidal waters before being sent inland, 

 or after arrival at the inland markets. 



4. During preparation for sale. 



Dr. Bulstrode gives a striking instance of an epidemic caused 

 under the last section, where a large number of persons contracted 

 enteric fever at Merthyr, owing to the consumption of cockles 

 which had become contaminated through being prepared for sale 

 by a person actually suffering from that disease. 



Obviously all the above risks cannot be eliminated by the careful 

 control of any one authority, the control must be shared by the 

 medical and sanitary authorities of the inland boroughs on the one 

 hand, and some body having authority over the beds or the fore- 

 shore on the other. As regards the pollution of shellfish on the beds, 

 there are obviously two and only two remedies. Either : — 



1. The gathering of the shellfish for direct sale as human food 

 must be stopped, or 



2. The discharge of the sewage must be prevented. 



To consider the latter alternative first, one soon finds that, 

 speaking generally, it is impossible to prevent the discharge of sewage 

 or other deleterious matter in close proximity to public shellfish 

 beds. According to the Pubhc Health Act of 1875 sewage or filthy 



