Report of experiments and observations on the vitality of the bacillus of typhoid fever and of sewage microbes in oysters and other shellfish

Antibiotic activity of marine microorganisms

“…There are innumerable reports on the bactericidal effects of sea water on the terrigenous microflora (BoYcr & HAI~DMAN 1896, KLEIN 1905, KOI~tNrK 1927, TRAWlNSKI 1929, ZoBELL & ANDERS~N 1936, CARVENT~R, SZTTER & WErNBEI~G 1938, RICHOV, N~ANT & RICHOU 1955, P~AMER, CARLVCC~ & SCARVINO 1963 but ZoBrLL & FrLTI~AM (1936) were among the first to make specific mention of the possible presence of toxic substances in sea water. In 1952 DE BALSAC, BEI~TOZZ~ & GA~DIN observed that the bactericidal principle in sea water was independent of salinity, was thermolabile and persisted after passage through a Chamberland filter.…”

Some Observations on the Viability of Sewage Bacteria in Relation to Self‐purification of Mussels

“…When, however, polluted shellfish are stored out of water, digestion of bacteria derived from sewage is evidently suspended or extremely slow. Such bacteria may survive for a week or more in shellfish stored out of water; Klein (1905) isolated Salm. typhi from oysters 10 days after a heavy experimental infection, and more relevant are records of outbreaks of enteric illness traced to the consumption of raw or inadequately cooked shellfish taken from beds situated near sewers.…”

“…by filtration or heat, and in distilled water it may depend on the presence of certain insoluble inorganic powders (Bigger & Nelson, 1941, 1943.Crone (1951) recorded the multiplication of certain Salmonella species in autoclaved buffered tap water.The effect of sea water on bacteria has also received much attention. Klein (1905) found that although sea water had ' a powerful destructive action on the B. typhosw,' some living individuals could nevertheless be recovered after many days and even weeks from heavily infected sea water. ZoBell (1936) also recorded a bactericidal action of sea water, the toxic principle being more evident in polluted than in open sea water.…”

“…The effect of sea water on bacteria has also received much attention. Klein (1905) found that although sea water had ' a powerful destructive action on the B. typhosw,' some living individuals could nevertheless be recovered after many days and even weeks from heavily infected sea water. ZoBell (1936) also recorded a bactericidal action of sea water, the toxic principle being more evident in polluted than in open sea water.…”

Typhoid Fever and Mussel Pollution

“…(h) Klein (1905) shewed that oysters infected with huge numbers of B. typhosus kept in clean sea water frequently changed were able to clean themselves in six days: that oysters infected with human faecal matter and thereafter kept in sterile sea water frequently changed were able to rid themselves of B. coli in eight days; that cockles infected with typhoid organismns and thereafter kept in clean sea water 582 G. F. BUCHAN frequently changed allowed the bacilli to mnultiply; that in mussels similarly treated the bacilli were still plentiful after seven days.…”