Further Experience of the Bismuth Sulphite Media in the Isolation of Bacillus typhosus and B. paratyphosus B from Faeces, Sewage and Water

Abstract

1. By means of the Old Standard bismuth sulphite medium B. typhosus was cultivated 44 times out of 50 examinations of the stools of 50 typhoid fever patients and convalescents.2. By means of the same medium B. paratyphosus B was cultivated 22 times out of 27 examinations of the stools of 27 different cases of paratyphoid fever.3. In 13 examinations of Belfast sewage in different months during 1928 and 1929, by means of the Old Standard sulphite media, B. typhosus was isolated on 10 occasions. In two examinations of Lisburn sewage B. typhosus was isolated. Although no special search for B. paratyphosus B was undertaken, this organism was isolated on two occasions from Belfast sewage. The viability of B. typhosus and B. paratyphosus B in sewage is longer than was suggested by the work of previous observers. It has been possible to cultivate B. typhosus and B. paratyphosus B from the deposit of sewage stored in a bottle at room temperature for 3 weeks. On one occasion B. typhosus was found alive at the end of 5 weeks.4. On two occasions water from the River Lagan was examined, and on one of these B. typhosus and B. paratyphosus B were cultivated.5. For the isolation of the B. enteritidis Gaertner the media gave good results in the examination of faeces from cases of food-poisoning.