Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-17
THE PORK DISEASE.

The Philadelphia FfeSs publishes the loi-
lowing remarks from prominent merchant
of that city, on the pork disease:
Having read with much interest various
statements, editorial and otherwise, that
have recently appeared in several of the
city dailies in reference to the disease of
cattle, (beef pork, etc. and believing that
an erroneous impression III reference TO the
food from these animals might be created in
the mincs of the public from the statements
referred to, and having been identified with
the trade as a merchant and packer of beef
and pork for the past twenty-eight years,
with an unlimited experience, both in this
city and the pork and beef packing in West
ern States, l feel it my duty, through the
same medium, to state most positively and
unequivocally that / have yet to learn of the
first case upon record, that can be authenti-
cally traced, where either sickness or death
has ensued from eating diseased "salt beef or
pork"
That diseases are prevalent, and even ep-
idemic, amongst cattle at times and in
certain districts, and have dla0dys been, as
at present in some parts of Europe, there
can be no doubt. 1t is also true that GER
tain unprincipled skinners or others have
occasionally been detected in selling dis
eased meat Such cases, however, are ex-
treme, and but seldom occur in our city.
To the consumer Of such it is reasonable to
suppose sickness or nausea might follow,
but have never known of anything more
serious. 1t is fact beyond dispute that
cattle give early or immediate evidence of
disease, and should such be sent to market,
the butcher, if an adept, cannot be deceived.
Hence the necessity Of buying of those only
who are practical in their business, and are
upright and honorable in their dealings.
The reported developments in Germany,
some years ago-variously reported from
1885 to 1S55-by the aid of the microscope,
of the existence of trichine in hogs, and
which, upon being further developed, are
attributable by the same authorities to the
feeding of sugar-beet, which are fed in some
parts of Germany, to large extent, may or
may not be true.
In all articles on this subject the follow
ing statement occurs: by making care
ful examination, by the aid of powerful
glass, of a piece of swine's flesh, intended
for food. taken from the animal SeUerdL days df-
ter it aoaS killed, large number of the ami
malcula was discovered This was the only
test mentioned. To the practical man no
importance can attach to such statements,
whilst to the credulous it is only necessary
to say that from sixty degrees Fahrenheit,
and upwards, during the fly seasoa-from
late in the spring until early fall-all fresh
meats she least exposed, from one to three
days, and subject to attacks from the fly are
liable 20, and will probably eventuate in the
same results.
We are more directly interested, however,
in the hog product of our country. 1t is a
well authenticated fact that corn as food
produces the best pork. The Western States
where corn is prolific and over abundant,
supply from three-fourths to seven-eighths of
all that is consumed; and with the high
rates for pork that have ruled the past three
years, it pays the farmer much better to feed
his corn to the hog, which thereby gains
upon the average one pound day, than to
ship it East for market, and pay the at
tendant expenses. This has been more par
ticularly the case during the past year than
previous ones, corn having been plenty and
a drug upon the market, whilst pork has
been scarce and higher than ever before
known.
The hog crop of the present year is nearly
one million head less than last year, with
fifteen to twenty per cent. gain in weight.
Surely they were never before IN finer con-
dition and should the fears of cholera the
coming summer be realized, / have no
doubt the demand will be far beyond the
supply, as experience has taught us that it
is without doubt superior diet in such
seasons.
To those who are consumers of cured or
salted meats | would state, to put at rest all
questions of doubt on this subject that dis
edSed meat cannot be cured, nor can damaged
meat ever be restored, experiments having
thoroughly tested the fact beyond doubt or
contingency congestion SO clotting or filling
the vessels and pores, which are the recep-
tacles of the pickle, that the process of draw
ing the blood and infusing the pickle are
interferred with by unnatural causes and
cannot be overcome, which is not the case
with meat perfect in health.
As all kinds of merchandising have with
certain spectators who have no legitimate
business become aspecies of stock gambling,
the various provision markets of this country
have become more or less subject to undue
influences, brought about by dishonest state
ments to accomplish unworthy ends. Large
quantities of provisions were sold short in
certain markets before the result of the pack
ing season was known, and the season for
delivery yet at hand. 1t is not improbable
that the sellers, therefore, have become
"bears" on the market and are now endeav-
oring to retrieve anticipated losses by the
cry of diseased pork" thereby depressing
the market rates for the present, and until
their contracts are filled, to be followed i'm
mediately by an unhealthy and rapid reac-
ton