A comparison of the distribution of Clostridium botulinum in soil and in lake mud

Abstract

In 1975, 25 soil samples were collected from the London area. Of these, 20 were obtained 200–300 yards from 20 lakes that had been shown in 1974 to contain mud contaminated with one or more of types B, C, D and E of Clostridium botulinum. By means of a technique comparable with that used for the examination of mud, the 20 soil samples were found negative. The remaining 5 soil samples, obtained from sites that were not in close proximity to lakes, were also negative except for one that contained type B. © 1977, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.