PTO WANS iT WATE: 
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 
BuREAU OF CHEMISTRY, 
Washington, D. C., August 26, 1910. 
Sire: 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 
the 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 
of the Bureau of Chemistry. 
Respectfully, Jal hie Nines, 
} Chief of Bureau. 
Hon. JAMES WILSON, 
Secretary of Agriculture. 
