New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1882-02-08
TRlCHlN0sIs.
Inquest on the Body Of Vim. Kushner
at Minneota.

An inquest was held by Deputy Cor.
oner Persons Of Lyon county, on the
body of VIM. Kushner, at MinneOta, of
whose death we made mention in last
week 8 REVIEW. There were present
Drs. Hewitt, Secretary of the State
board of health, G. Berry of this city,
T. NJ. Marcellus Of Sleepy Eye, Farms.
worth of Candy, Bennett of Water.
town, d. T., Persons and Andrews of
Marshall, and Renninger Of Minneota.
The Lyon county Mas gives the fol-
lowing account of the inquest: 'sThe
coroner directed the physicians to
make an autopsy, after which speci.
mems from the psoas and gastrocemi.
us muscles were exhibited under the
microscope, and trichln9 could plainly
be seen both in the free and encysted
state. The Coroner then called Dr..
Hewitt, who, upon being duly sworn,
testified as follows:
am practicing ply of Rcdwing, MINI :,
and am secretary OF the State board of health; I
was present at the examination of the body of
VIM. Kushner, and ordered the removal of tie
most likely to be infected with parasites; have
shown you specimens of these muscles under the
microscope, and these specimens are from the
body Of the deceased, VIM. Kushner: the parasite
vOu was he fire
was from the psoas muscle, the muscle which is
equivalent to the tenderoin of the pork; the next
was from the muscle in the calf ofthe leg. have
no doubt that these parasites are to be found in
other parts of the body; we found disease in the
apex of the left ling, which might have been an
old disease. am Of the opinion that he died
edge; this amount trchin@ might not have killed
him, but they are III an infinitely small piece of mus
Gle. not larger than the point of needle; should
think there must be millions of trichin.e in that
body.
DIR. BERRY,
being sworn, gave the following testimony:
have been practicing physician Tor twenty.
two years; live at New Ulm; was present at the
examination of VIM. Kushner and coroborate the
testimony of Dr. Hewitt; these are the first fresh
specimens of trichinH that have ever seen;
saw several preserved specimens oftrichin9, know
know these to be the same; have no practical
knowledge of the disease, but understand from
theory that the parasites as to be found in the
muscles of the the heart, leg and arms; the psoas
muscles being near the iGtestnes are most likely
to contain them; there can be no mistake but that
these specimens are trichinae.
DIR. TARNswoRTH,
being sworn, said:
have been apractic!ng physician for three
years, and live at CanbJ, Mimi; in company
with other doctors assisted at this Investigation
and have no doubt that these are trchina and that
the deceased's death was caused by trichinosis.
DR. ANnREwa
testified:
live at MARSHALL; assisted in making a post
norton examination of the body of VIM kushner
and took therefrom specimens of the pectoralis
major, psoas and the intercosta muscles, and also
specimens from the liver. diaphragm, lungs asO-
phagus, and small intestines; I have examined
under the microscope the specimens from the
psoas and found trichin in both, also the absense
OF anything abnormal in the peyers glands which
are perfectly healthy; am sure tnat he did not
die from any other disease but trichiaosis; have
seen six OF trichinosis at Bellevue hos plta
New York; they all proved fatal; assisted at a
post mOrtem examination upon each, Icannot say
that ever saw case of trchnosis that recovered.
After blief consultation the Jury
returned a verdict that the deceased
came to his death by trichinosis.'
The Neaos says that there can be no
doubt that the presence of trichinB in
the Minneota hogs was greatly Dire to
diet of rats. In the early summer the
hogs, some forty in number, were kept
in a large pen adjoining the stable and
Strengthening house, the offal from the
latter place being thrown into the pen.
At the time the buildings were infesr.
ed by rats, which were extensively
slaughtered, and these also were
thorwn to the hogs. There can he lit
tie doubt that the existence of trichinm
in the swine began with the RAJ diet,
it being well-knowl fact that the
parasites generally exist in this class
of animals. Later in the season the
hogs were removed to Il yard near the
river, as was also the Strengthening
business, Mr.. Pickles began to slaugh.
ter his hogs late in November, and
they were placed on the local market
about the middle of December. 1t is
emphatically stated that none of the
diseased pork has been sent out of the
village of Minneota, and that there is
no reason for alarm, as the disease is
purely local.
Drs.Hewitt and Berry returned from
Minneota to New Ulm on Wednesday
afternoon, the former stopping off be.
tween trains as the guest of the latter.
During Wednesday evening the doctors
gave 4 sort of reception, or trichin@
matinee, at DR.. Berry's residence,
where they gave microscopic exhlbl.
ton Of minute pieces of pork and mus
cles, the latter taken from Kushner's
body, using fine microscope of great
power. From five O'Clock in the eve.
ming until late at night continuous
stream of men, women and children
were entering and leaving DR.. Berry's
house and taking valuable lesson
against taking ham and pork sausage
raw. From two 10 three specimens Of
trichin@ could be plainly seen in eaci
parcel of flesh, which, through the
powerful microscope, looked like small
snakes. DR.. Hewitt intends to thor
oughly investigate the origin of thu
parasite in the swine, but he dom
hesitate to say that he believes thu
swine became diseased from eatina
unwholesome food.
PERSONAL MENTION.
Hon. John Lind and his wife, Of
Tracy, visited in our city Il few day.