Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-01-20
The Recent Trichina Cases near Belyi-
dere, Ill.

Qere, Ill.
This community has been greatly ex-
cited during the past week by reports of
the fearful visitation of the dreaded tri-
china spiralis among the German fami-
lies living on the farm of NJ S. Molony
The families are known here, and went to
live on the farm last fail, being hired by
Mr.. Molony to take care of the stock.
From Mr.. G. W. Downs, Mr.. Moony's
agent, who has spent several days in the
locality, we gather the following informa-
ton Of the sad affair:
1rtchina spiralis is the name of an ami
NAL parasite. We do not understand that
they are found alone in the hog tribe, but
it appears that in all cases, 30 far on
record, they have been introduced from
that source into the human stomach,
where they appear to find congenial
spot and increase and multiply to such a
degree that in a weeks time they find
| their way into the muscles of the victim,
causing death in a short time. Trichina
is word derived from the Greek, and
means hairy or made of hair A spiral
hair, therefore, correctly represents the
| form of the insect as seen under power
full microscope. Whether hog or other
animal infested with trichina was ever
known to die or not, we are unable to say,
but it is quite probable they do. But, as
no investigation in such case would be
likely to take place, the public are in
state of ignorance on the point The
deadly effect of the parasite, when taken
into the human system, however, is well
ascertained. Cooking destroys all trichina,
| or their spore or spawn, present in meat.
But, as a partial cooking may leave the
vitality of some of them impaired, it
would seem to be desirable that all meat,
more especially pork, should be thorough
ly cooked.
The farm which has been the scene of
this terrible visitation is located in the
town of Hampshire, Kane county, nine
miles south of Marengo. II is stock
farm containing $50 acres, owned by NJ.
S. Molony, Of Belvidere. Mr.. Molony re-
,ides in New York about half the year.
The infected animal was SOW about
eighteen months old, so that the stories
about its being six year old animal are
incorrect. This SOW has had one litter of
nine pigs, weaned about the 1st of Octo-
Der. She was then in very poor condi-
ton Of flesh, as would naturally be the
case. 1t being intended to fat her, she was
given boiled potatoes and such feed, and,
when the weather turned cold, corn in the
ear. There was no external indication
whatever that the hog was affected in any
way. When the hog was slaughtered 81
was in fair state of flesh, having made
about as much gain as hog SO thin as she
was could be expected to make in that
time. 1t was a hog capable OF being fat
tened, and was brought up to fair degree
of flesh.
The hog weighed about $50 pounds
dressed, and was killed about four weeks
ago. The meat apparently was all right.
Itwas disposed of fresh, and large por-
ton was made into Bologna sauages
The meat that went into the sausages was
not cooked. They were smoked and fixed
up after the usual German fashion. Just
exactly how that is we arc unable to say
One OF the families consisted of man
named John Gawyer, about forty years
DID, his wife and four children They all
ate freely G. the raw sausages. Two girls,
aged respectively about fifteen to twelve
years, exhibited the first symptoms. 1t
was supposed they had typhoid fever.
Gawyer and his wife were then taken
down. One Of his children was nurs-
ing babe, which has escaped, and another
of the children was visiting her relatives
in Chicago. Out of this family Mr. Cav
yer and his two little girls have died; Mrs.
Gawyer not being expected to live.
Another family consisted of man
rtn,, oh gttt tvxy1, txr-f five
years old, his wife, mother-in-law, and a
child about three years old. Mr.. Martain |
has died the others are alive at this writ
ing, but not expected to recover.
The other parties affected by the raw |
sausages were Mr.. d. Cowles, man en-
ployed occasionally on the farm, and Mr..
Joseph Suher, teamster, who lives in
Belvidere. Cowles is badly off. The
probabilities are said to be rather in favor !
of Suher's recovery. The cooked sausage |
or meat of the infected animal has not
proved to be dangerous at all. The vic |
Tins of this dread disease, it has been as
certained to a,certainty, are those who par
took of the raw sausage quite freely |
Suher ate Only little
The outward indications at first are said
to be precisely or very near the same as
those of typhoid fever. Afterward, when
the trichina bores through the coatings OF
the stomach and seeks its tavorlte food
among the muscles, the victim is racked
by intense pains like rheumatism, causing
heavy sweating, The agony is apparent;
the least movement is excruciating. There
are periods of exaeerbation and remr ION,
Of course the strength Of the, strongest