The Toxicity of Putrid Food

By William G. Savage, M.D. (County Medical Officer of Health, Somerset). The quantity of food destroyed because it shows signs of decomposition is enormous. Much of it is destroyed by the activities of health officers more because it is an unsaleable article. There is no hesitation on the partof the officers of local authorities in condemning this food; there is no resistance against such action by its owners, while support for this procedure is always forthcoming without difficulty from legal tribunals and from the public generally. It is universally admitted to be unfit for food. With such unanimity, it would naturally be anticipated that there would be the clearest and strongest scientific evidence in support. It is the purpose of this article to consider how far this scientific proof of the harmfulness of tainted food is available. If decomposing food possesses the toxicity ascribed to it, it should be easy to support the contention with evidence along atleast four lines. It should be possible to cause illness in animals by feeding them with decomposing food. It should be practicable to isolate the bacteria associated with this condition, and to show that these bacteria are capable when administered by the mouth of producing prejudicial symptoms. The bio-chemist should be able to separate the products of putrefaction and prove which of them possess diseaseproducing properties. Lastly, it should not be difficult to point to outbreaks of food poisoning or illness in individuals caused by the ingestion of putrid material. All four lines of evidence merit consideration.