phenomena exclude the possibility of its originating from the milk supply. Respectfully F. C. CURTIS BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS OF SPECIMENS OF MILK MADE FOR DR. J. C. CARSON, OF SYRACUSE, N. Y., MADE AT THE INSTANCE OF DR. SMELZER, OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALH SPECIMEN NO. 1, MARKED "DARROW'S MILK” Quantitative examination-There were 14,500,000 bacteria per cubic centimetre of milk as cultivated on agar-agar plates at 37° C. There were 12,600,000 bacteria per cubic centimetre of milk as cultivated on gelatin plates at 25° C. The average 13,550,000 bacteria per cubic centimetre of milk. Theobald Smith's fermentation test-Five fermentation tubes were inoculated each with one cubic centimetre of milk. There was 10% of gas formation in all of the tubes, associated with a marked acid reaction. Qualitative examination-The bacteria present in this specimen of milk were of the non-pathogenic varieties. There was no evi dence whatever of the presence of any bacteria which might explain the occurrence of intestinal disturbances in the case of individuals using the milk. SPECIMEN NO. 2, MARKED "FAIRMOUNT MILK' Quantitative examination-There were 13,750,000 bacteria per cubic centimetre of milk as cultivated on agar-agar plates at 37° C. There were 11,500,000 bacteria per cubic centimetre of milk as cultivated on gelatin plates at 25° C. The average was 12,625,000 bacteria per cubic centimetre of milk. Theobald Smith's fermentation test-Five fermentation tubes were inoculated each with one cubic centimetre of milk. There was 10% of gas formation in each of the five tubes, associated with a marked acid reaction. Qualitative examination-The bacteria present in this specimen of milk were found to belong to the non-pathogenic species, and no evidence of the presence of any bacteria responsible for an intestinal infection could be discovered. BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS OF SPECIMENS OF WATER MADE FOR DR. J. C. CARSON, OF SYRACUSE, N. Y., MADE AT THE INSTANCE OF DR. SMELZER, OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALH SPECIMEN NO. 1, LABELED "FAIRMOUNT WATER " Quantitative examination-There were 37,300 bacteria per cubic centimetre of water as cultivated on agar-agar plates at 37° C. There were 41,400 bacteria per cubic centimetre of water as cultivated on gelatin plates at 25° C. The average was 39,350 bacteria per cubic centimetre of water. Theobald Smith's fermentation test-Five fermentation tubes were inoculated each with one cubic centimetre of water. There was 35% of gas formation in one tube, 10% of gas formation in one tube and no gas formation in three tubes. There was an alkaline reaction in the tube with 35% of gas formation and an acid reaction in the other tubes. Qualitative examination-In addition to the ordinary water bacteria this specimen of water was found to contain varieties of bacteria producing rapid liquefaction of gelatin. There was, however, no positive evidence of the presence of the typhoid or colon bacilli. SPECIMEN NO. 2, LABELED "INSTITUTION WATER " Quantitative examination-There were 90 bacteria per cubic centimetre of water as cultivated on agar-agar plates at 37° C. There was 390 bacteria per cubic centimetre of water as culti vated on gelatin plates at 25° C. The average was 240 bacteria per cubic centimetre of water. Theobald Smith's fermentation test-Five fermentation tubes were inoculated each with one cubic centimetre of water. There was no gas formation in any of the tubes. Qualitative examination-This specimen of water was found to contain only the non-pathogenic varieties of water bacteria. SPECIMEN NO. 3, LABELED "INSTITUTION ICE" Quantitative examination-There were 220 bacteria per cubic centimetre of water as cultivated on agar-agar plates at 37° C. There were 790 bacteria per cubic centimetre of water as culti vated on gelatin plates at 25° C. The average was 505 bacteria per cubic centimetre of water. Theobald Smith's fermentation test-Six fermentation tubes were inoculated each with one cubic centimetre of water. There was no gas formation in any of the tubes. Qualitative examination-This specimen of water was found to contain only the non-pathogenic varieties of water bacteria. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS Although the number of bacteria per cubic centimetre of milk is somewhat excessive, this fact would appear to be explained by the time which had elapsed in transporting the milk, as well as the exceedingly warm weather during which it was sent to the laboratory. There was no evidence whatever in either specimen of milk of the presence of the typhoid or colon bacilli, or of any other bacteria which might be assumed to be the cause of acute intestinal infections. The specimens of water labeled "institution water" and "institution ice" conformed to all the requirements of a first-class drinking water, and in neither of these specimens was there any evidence whatever of the presence of any pathogenic bacteria. The number of bacteria per cubic centimetre in both of these specimens is exceedingly low when the fact is considered that more than 24 hours in very warm weather elapsed between the time the specimens were taken and the cultures made. The specimens of water labeled "Fairmount water" contains a far greater number of bacteria per cubic centimetre of water, 39,350, than should be present in a safe drinking water. Furthermore, the presence in this specimen of water of bacteria pro 66 ducing rapid liquefaction of gelatin is also presumptive evidence that the source of the water has been in some way contaminated. It is, therefore, our opinion that the specimen labeled " Fairmount water" is not a safe drinking water, although we were unable to isolate from it either the bacillus typhosus or the bacillus coli communis. ARTHUR W. ELTING BENDER HYGIENIC LABORATORY ALBANY, N. Y., September 26, 1900 BAXTER T. SMELZER, Secretary of State Board of Health, Albany, N. Y.: Dear Sir-Herewith find report on the water from the asylum for feeble-minded children at Syracuse, N. Y. Number of bacteria to the cubic centimetre on agar plates, 4000; gelatin plates, 200; average, 2100. Theobald Smith's test shows gas formation in each of 10 tubes inoculated with 1 c.c. of water. In four of these tubes the amount of gas is between 45 and 50 per cent, and the reaction is strongly acid. The quali tative examination shows the presence of the bacillus coli communis, as well as the ordinary water bacteria. REMARKS The This water cannot be considered as a potable water. bacterial count is too high. The presence of such a large number of colon bacilli is very strong evidence of organic contamination, most likely from fecal matter, and also suggests the possibility that typhoid bacilli may have been present though none were found at this examination. Respectfully submitted. GEORGE BLUMER MOUNT VERNON SEWAGE The Honorable State Board of Health, Albany, N. Y.: Gentlemen-The undersigned, residents and property holders on and near the Hutchinson river and canal, partly in the city of New York and partly in the city of Mount Vernon and town of Pelham, Westchester county, New York, protest most urgently against the emptying of sewage into said river and canal by the city of Mount Vernon, the villages of Pelham and Pelham Manor, as the current is so sluggish that the sewage never reaches the sound, but remains in said river and canal, and has become a terrible nuisance and a great danger to the health of the inhabitants of the valley in which said river and canal are located, and your petitioners request that your Board take prompt action in having pollution of said river and canal stopped at once. John Scharff George Ploner Edward Maloy Chas. Dempster Andrew Mortz Thomas H. Hodge John Welsh John Ruser Jacob Sohl Wm. H. Holley Samuel G. Brundge Richard J. McGowan P. Garvey David Foley John Hanson Thomas Beattie Paul Kohn John Burke Willard Clendenin Frank Waker C. Langenstein Lea Raynor W. J. Elliott H. Doyle E. P. Miller Charles H. Zorn Fritz Rumpf A. S. Wildey John Corrigan |