44 
OYSTERS AND DISEASE. 
we have no evidence before us to show how far this is so in the case of the mud upon 
which the oysters ma.y be laid ; here it is possible that the bacillus might be capable 
of a saprophytic existence. The observations of Loesener, Robertson, and others con- 
cerning the duration of vitality of the B. typhosus in artificially infected earth, would 
tend to support such a view. 
Tables s/iowing the Action of Sea-water upon the Groivth of the B. typhosus. 
Experiment I. no. ofBaciin 
At time of mixing ... ... ... ... ... ... 29,250 
After 21 hours ... ... ... ... ... ... 20,475 
„ 45 " ••• •■• ••■ •■• ■•• ••• ••• 9,945 
„ 71 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... 9,360 
„ 95 „ 5,850 
„ 271 „ ... ... ... ... ... ••• 260 
„ 340 „ II 
Experiment II. 
At time of mixing ... ... .... ... ... ... 1,300 
After 21 hours... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,105 
„ 45 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... 780 
„ 71 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 650 
„ 95 „ 325 
„ 27r 2 
V 340 „ o 
Experiment III. 
At time of mixing ... ... ... ... ... ... 22,750 
After 5 hours ... ... ... ... ... ... '7,55o 
„ 23 „ 11,700 
„ 48 „ 3,250 
„ 72 „ 3,260 
„ 247 „ 455 
„ 316 ,. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 325 
Experiment IV. 
At time of mixing ... ... ... ... ... ... 130 
After 6 hours... ... ... ... ... ... ... 41 
„ 23 „ 31 
„ 48 „ 38 
„ 72 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... negative 
„ 247 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... ... I 
„ 316 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... o 
Experiment V. 
At time of mixing ... ... ... ... ... ... 31,200 
After 172 hours ... ... ... ... ... ... 9,360 
» 244 „ 325 
