Toxicology: Death Can Come in Cans

In all the U.S., only twelve outbreaks of botulism (46 victims, of whom 14 died) were reported last year. Yet for the Public Health Service's symposium last week on this deadliest form of food poisoning, 300 experts turned up in Cincinnati—eloquent testimony to the severity of the problem. The trouble is, said the University of Michigan's Dr. Lloyd L. Kempe, that ever since safety standards were set in 1922, botulism research has been "shamefully neglected."

Five Brands. Even diagnosis is difficult, unless the doctor has reason to suspect botulism. "When we have a suspected case," said Dr. Charles S. Petty...