The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1882-10-18
Does Salt Kill Trichina 2

A French savant, NJ. Colin, some
time ago declared that the sailing OF
meat was a sure and certain method
of destruction to these parasites. This,
however, was different to the opinions
often expressed by German investi-
gators, and also to the fact thai several
cases Of trichinosis, believed 20 have
resulted from the eating of American
hams that had long been sailed, had
been reported. Among other chemists,
Schmitt. Chatim Girard. and Pabst.
and De Benecke and Libon, may be
medtioned as observers who had found
the trichinp still living in meats that
had been sailed for several months.
The experiments of NJ. Colin led to
others by NJ. Fourment. the results OF
which have just been published as a
report to the French Academy.
These experiments show conclusive
ly thai the sailing of meats cannot be
regarded as a safeguard against
trichinosis. NJ. Fourment took a
piece of meat on tile 10Th of April,
1881, from some American salted
meats examined at the Havre docks
and found infested. This meat was
placed in a flask and imbedded in
fine salt. 1t was then Dramatically
sealed and not opened till The lst of
April, 1882. By this time the meat
had undergone a years sailing carried
to the highest degree, and if we
add the time that must have elapsed
since it was first put in salt IN
America (Which could not be put at
less than three months) the meat may
be said to have been in salt for ut
least fifteen months. Tue meat was
then cut up into small pieces,
and these were placed in water, which
was frequently changed to remove the
salt. and remained for several hours IN
a temperature Of seyenty-one degrees
Fahrenheit. On The 4th. 9Th and 9th
o" April this was fed to Il mouse,
which died on the 7th, after present
ing symptoms Of diarrllea. The in
tesllne was evidently inlamcd and
contained seXually developed trlchinp.
a second and IL third mousse were fed
with more Of the meat. and with eX-
actly similar results in each case. Scv-
eral o:her experiments were made. NJ.
FOurmrnt says that all show that the
trichinn were then certainly alive and
capable o" reproduction after fifteen
months OF sailing; and it is conse-
qucntly manifest that sailing does not
surely and rapidly destroy these para
sites. THEY may die in saltc1 meats
as well as in any other situation, and
thus explain the negative experiments
published by distinguished observers;
but they may also live a considerable
time without our being able to deter
mine the length of the period after
which death necessarily follows lat cnt
life.
But, although sailing is thus IN I'M
certain remedy, there need be no dam
ger whatever from tricIlinoSis if only
the meat he properly cooked. In 10
single casc-and there have been NIL
mcrous experiments made-llaS heat
failed to entirely destroy these para
sites. Fjord, in Sweden, and krahir,
in Germany. have both proved that Il
temperature of l29 degrees Fahrenheit
has been shown by many experiments
to kill inStantancollSly. Only those
who neglect the prrcaution of thorough
cooking-al,solltely necessary in the
ease Of all pig meat and Sa'lSag"S- -
need be under any fear of these para
sitrs.-Ncm YTDrh Obscrccr.