The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-27

REPLIES TO CHARGE

When Governor William Hodges
Mann was asked on yesterday what
his intentions were with reference to
the charges lodged against the Vir
gfnia oyster by DIR. +. G.. Williams, in
a paper read before the State Medical
Association Wednesday, the Governor
stated that, while he had every con-
fidence in the Virginia bivalve. he
would order an investiga ton in order
that the whole truth may be learned
The Governor quoted Commissioner
of Fisheries Mcdonald Lee as his au-
thority for the belief that the oyster
could furnish a clean bill of health
There are oyster grounds which are
contaminated BY sewage from Norfolk
City but. according to the Governors
understanding. these oysters are not
used. However the executive does not
feel that any subject which has to
do with the health of the people may
be taken lightly. and he will have
the entire situation thoroughly ven
tilated.
10 Dsfsnss Of Bivaive.
Deputy Food Commissioner Purcell,
of the State Department of Agricul-
ture. said yesterday In commenting
on Wednesdays proceedings of the
Virginia Public Health Association
when some OF the speakers OF the
morning session of the association are
reported as having advised the pub
lie against eating oysters unless they
had been cooked. and fixed upon the
raw oyster and milk, as food pro-
ducts especially responsible for the
spread of typhoid. that he had just
returned from Norfolk and vicinity.
where he had been for the purpose of
investigating the sources of the sup
ply OF oysters used by the packers in
furnishing oysters for our home and
out OF State markets. He states that
| he had the assurance OF prominent
men largely interested in this indus
try as well as assurances from State
officials connected with the fish and
oyster commission, and that of the
local health authorities of Norfolk
that the practice OF taking oysters for
, the market from tho polluted waters
Of the Eliza beth river and its branches
had been entirely abandoned. and that
the oysters put on our markets to-
| day We're, with some minor excep-
tions, obtained from beds free from
contamination, and that the beds we're
located so far from sewage outlets
that it would be practically impossi-
| BILE. with the volume Of water flowing
! over the beds, for the water to con-
| tain appreeiabie quantities of sewage
to make the oysters deleterious. or
even of doubtful healthfulness
THE federal courts said Mr.. Pur-
cell. have recently decided that IRE
rule of reason must be applied in
determining the question of deleter-
| ious Ingredients in human foods
NOW with the statement of respon-
sibie parties as to the source OF oul
oyster supply" continued Mr.. Pur-
cell, land with my personal knowI-
edge OF the satisfactory sanitary sur
roundings and methods employed by
the packers In preparing for shipmen,
their oysters, and the care taken OF
| the product in its transportation, one
1 service sterilized. sealed shipping tins
surrounded by ice. cannot think We
hare taking any great risk In eating
/ raw oysters to our full content, and
believe the Virginia oyster. to be found
| on our markets, 10 surrounded with
| the necessary sanitary requirements
/ to insure 1t healthy article OF food
/ and / believe IL to be on the whole
! the best favored oyster to be found in
/ the country. In the absence of direct
/ proof of deleterious effects. or dis
ease to be attributed directly to ths
/ fresh Virginia oyster. | submit there
| IL no justice In branding this indus
| try. so important to such large
/ body of our citizens. with a stigma
! which may result in a serious impair
nent OF its output. and an enormous
monetary loss.