The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-09-20
OYSTERS
ARE CONDEMNED
CONTINUED From First Page.)

CONTINUED From First Page)
dictate as an explanation that the pol
luted oysters obtained from points be-
low Blackstone Island may possibly be
attributed to purely local conditions.
OF course the possibility, remains that
the pollution Of the water extends
much farther down the river in the
the oyster season. when the oysters at
the local wharves have been found to
be much worse than at any other time
during the season. OF course the only
surety we have that the oysters found
polluted actually have come from the
locations from which they are pur-
ported to come is the statement OF the
owners and captains OF boats engaged
in the oyster industry.
The results OF the investigation al
ready made would indicate that any
oysters taken above Blackstone Island
are likely to be pulluted and in such
condition as to be considered under
the food and drugs act as unfit for
human consumption.
The department has been conserva-
tive in deciding upon conclusions
based upon these rather extended in
vestigations. The questions Of public
health and the ultimate oyster inter-
ests which are at stake seem SO i'm
portant that wide publicly has been
decided upon.
Must Protect Water.
There Is manifest need Of wide dis
cussion. much more investigation ana
immediate action on the part of the
States and cities from which the pol
luting materials are discharged into
the Potomac River. 1t is suggested
that every typhoid patient should be
quarantined and all contaminated
clothing should be disinfected. and
thus avoid injecting sewage. and that
even in the case OF typhoid carriers
precaution should be taken TO reduce
to minimum the pollution OF river
sewage by typhoid germs. Quarantining
and disinfecting the excreea from
several hundred patients in the city
of Washington. and as many more IN
farm, village and city homes in terri
tory tributary to the Potomac River
outside Of Washington. ought not to
1t is also practicable by means OF
screens and other agencies to keen
flies away from the active germs from
injected patients. |
The time has come when the Fed |
eral and state governments should en- /
ploy sewage experts to advise concern
ing the care of sewage from the farm, /
the village and the city. as We now en- |
ploy experts to advise concerning dis |
eases Of animals or the wholesomeness !
OF milk. 1t may be that concen-
trated war on typhoid would reduce |
that disease to a small percentage OF !
the present number Of cases. or might |
even result in it's eradication.
Safety In Cooking.
The results Of these Investigations |
emphas size the need Of refusing to eat !;
oysters from questionable sources I'M |
less very thoroughly cooked. The re- |,
suits Of data already gathered would !
indicate that all oyster beds should be |
inspected with view to hndinS all
contaminated beds, that means may be !
devised to prevent their pollution. The |
experts assert that once the pollution
is abated the oysters will become j
wholesome In a relatively short time |
In some cases it is believed that 1t will /
be found practicable to remove ma !
tured oysters from polluted water and !
plant them temporarily in nonpolluted !
beds from which they may again be |
harvested after they have cleansed
themselves OF typhoid and other dis
ease bacteria The producers Of and
dealers in oysters have right to ask
for public assistance in protecting the
oyster fields. and legislative BODIES
have here a new problem.
Numerous cities having successfully
Installed sewage disposal system which
prevent contamination of adjacent
waters. the practicability of this meth
cd has been proven. These systems OF
sewage disposal destroy not only the
typhoid germs, but also otherwise pur-
ify the sewage waters. which. IL al
lowed to contaminate the-streams, may
give rise to various intestinal trou-
bles.