The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-06-16
Does Salt XIII Trichtna ?

Consul Wilson, at Brussels, gave, IN his
report to the department. two years ago, as
a result of his own microscopic eXamlna-
tions OF sailed pork, an opinion that the
cyst OF trichin2 is It's tomb also and that
the parasite does not long survive IN salt
ed meat. He now says he very much
doubts whether single competent micro
scopist can be found who will be bold
enough to assert that he has discovered the
encysted living animal In thoroughly salt
ed hams or bacon" He gives no weight
to the idea, advanced by some scientists,
that in its quiescent state it retains It's
vitality for a period extending over many
years. He opposes this theory on that al
most universal law of animal life, that
longevity of an animal generally bears a
direct proportion to the period required tor
ITS maturauon.
According to Mr.. Wilson, it Is claimed
by most trlchlnic observers that the pro-
cess OF generation and birth Of this little
animal invariably takes place IN the
stomach and intestinal canal, and that
within few days from its birth 1t has so
maturated as to penetrate the walls OF the
intcstlnes and rapidly make Its way
through the various intervening structures
TO the remote muscular tissue of the ami.
nal it lnfects, there to be speedily encysted
and endowed with subsequent dormant
existence of several years, during whiCA
time its presence occasions little or no in
convenience.
1t may further be stated that the law
governing parasite existence in living It's
sue usually involves the speedy death OF
the parasite after the pabulum upon which
it feeds has passed from under the domain
of vital force hence unless this tiny worm
constitutes an exception to this law, its life
must be short after organic structure upon
which it feeds has ceased to live. But
however this may be, the fact remains, &C.
cordlng to his observations, that this para.
site can not live in tissue saturated with
chloride of sodium or common salt Ii IN
this opinion he is mistaken, he can only
say that he has failed to receive authentic
proof to the contrary, and until otherwise
convinced he feels 1t his duty TO rel,eratc
the result of his own experience and OBJ
servatons, and that is, that he has never
himself seen, nor found a microscopic
who would declare that he had observed
trichlHI in motion or mani.estlng any
other sign OF life when found in well salt
ed meats.
He has scarcely a doubt that salt really
kills tuchlnH, and urgently recommends
the department to at once institute an eX.
haustve examination of the subject, "ior If
II once becomes an established scientific
fact that salt does really kill the parasite,
and our packers and shippers Will but
properly salt their meat intended tor eX-
portaion, foreign governments Will no
Longer be able to Justify their prohibItivc
measures by an appeal to the danger OF
communicating mortal disease by the IN.
PRODUCTION of the already too much sland-
cred American pork"
As this is matter of great Importance,
affecting the interests of vast number Of
people of at least two continents, it is to
be hoped our government VIII act upon
Mr.. Wilson's suggestion. 1t would seem
that the investigation need be neither a
long nor an expensive one,-PrW!rie Far-
| HGr.