New-York tribune., 1907-10-08
TYPHOID FROM OYSTERS
Shell Fish an Local Waters Con-
taminated by Sezcdge.

The danger Of typhoid from oysters and clans
has been pointed out many times. but note
cf alarm sounded yesterday by DR. Daniel
Lewis. president Of the Metropolitan Sewage Com
mission and DR.. Daniel d. Jackson bacteriologst
Of the New York board. They both de-
Clared that many Of the oysters supplied TO the
New York market come from neighboring waters
that literally nothing more than a strong So
luton Of sewage
Although il has been known that New York Bay
IS badly contaminated. few persons suppose tN2t
these waters were used TO breed oysters which are
sold under names that suggest they come from far
away and clean localities. The pollution committee
OF the Merchants Association has estimated
thai nearly 1.0o00000o5 gallons of sewage is dis
charged into the bay every day and that of the
1000 tons Of sewage thus deposited fully 700 tons
remain in suspension. The theory that the out
going tide carries away this filth has been over
turned by investigation, and it is now accented
a fact that 70 per cent Of the water which goes
with the tide comes back again. And vet in
The face Of this, the map prepared by the New
York Pollution Committee shows that there is a
bed Of oysters near the Statue of Liberty and that
here 5000 bushels Of oysters are gathered an
nually
In discussing this question yesterday DR.. Lewis
said.
There isn't square foot of the waters of the
harbor that isn't polluted by sewage Newark Bay
IS in cisgraceful condition. and the waters Of the
bay on the south shore Of Staten Island, where
most OF the oysters ani CLAIMS are gathered. is
nothing more OF less than a whirlpool of sewage.
! would no more think of eating an oyster or
clam taken from these waters than would so
much deadly poison. When president Of the New
York Bay Pollution Commission ( made an exter-
sve examination Of the subject the results of which
embodied in the first report Of that commission
or the thousands Of oysters and CLANS analyzed
there wasn't one that did not show traces Of sew
age. The matter is a crying outrage yet nothing
has been done by the authorities OF New York and
New Jersey TO stop II.
1t has been proved by experts that only a small
percentage Of the 10o0NDoO0O gallons Of sewage
which daily finds its way into New York Harbor
gets into the Just the ebb tide gets
past the Narrous It is met by the food tide and
the sewage is swrled back into the bay again, and
in these filth laden waters more than 6o00Go,0o0
oysters and clans annually harvested, mainly
for the New York markets
one particular outrage that would like to have
the Of the public called to is the fact that
countless thousands Of oysters are fattened r the
Raritan and Elizabeth rivers which little short
of running sewers Il is in these waters, as un-
derstand it. that immense quantities Of oysters by
various fancy names are cultivated for the fash
ionabIe New York hotels and restaurants.
AS Is generally known, the Shrewsbury River
Is vileiy polluted. No one now hears of the for
rnerly celebrated Shrewsbury oyster. They are
simply called Lynnhavens instead. And so on
through the chapter. am glad to see that the
New Jersey State Sewerage Commission has Just
served notice the city of New Brunswick to
show cause why Il should not be ordered TO cease
polluting the Raritan River The pollution OF the
Elizabeth River IS also before the courts.
The fall Of the year always shows a marked
increase IN the number Of typhoid fever cases.
For instance, during tie week ended August IS
IS cases were reported. with 13 deaths. During
the week ended August "A SO cases were reported.
with II deaths. The record for the week ended
September q shows that Isl cases were reported.
with a death Est of .. In midsummer when very
few oysters are eaten. the death rate from ty-
phoid fever sinks almost the zero mark.
The waters Of the harbor and vicinity have now
become polluted by sewage and factory waste
that there is scarcely an edible fish left Think,
then of it's effect upon the shell fish. The time
IS rapidly approaching when New York will have
TO devise some method Of dsposng Of the sewage
other than dischRrging il into the bay for II
tinued for many years longer the health Of the
whole community viii be seriously threatened"
DR. Jackson. in talking on the same subject said
that he believed fully ; per cent of the cases of
typhoid in this city due TO the eating OF in
fected shell food. Virtually none of the
nous quantities Of filth thrown into harbor
by the many sewers he said is disposed Of out
side the harbor. I believe that stop should be
put to the taking of oysters from these waters It
IS constant risk TO health and life OF course, in
time some way will be hit upon purify
waters with the increase of population in the
Hudson Valley the river and harbor will become a
cesspooi As matters stand ! would advise every
body 70 be sure OF the Of their sea food.
have examined oysters from Gravesend Bay and
the shores OF Staten Island and found in them
filth that might cause any number Of intestinal
diseases"