Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1884-04-09
VICTIMS OF TRICHINAE.
Microscopic Study of the Para
sites

From Pittsburgh Telegraph of March %.
Professor Francis Phillips, of the
Western University, has received a
piece of the specimen taken from the
limb of Mrs Mary Schu!ties, who died
of trichinosis at Loyalhanna recently.
Professor Phillips will give the speci-
men a microscopic examination, and
report upon the state of the parasites
found There is everything yet to be
| learned about trichin9, and apparently
the only way in which they can be
studied is under the microscope. The
prevailing impression is that the para
sites do their great damage while
young, and in passing through tho
body until they find permanent loca-
ton. 1t is thought that after they be-
come surrounded by capsule they lose
their power for active evil. A promi-
nent Pittsburgh physician told the re-
porter that there were a number of
parasites inhabiting animals, and that
man, perhaps, has more than his share
of them. But of all, the trichina is the
most dreaded, as it alone proved fatal
to life.
II presume nearly all swine is more
or less infected with them" said he.
"Wher they do not exist to an excess,
the animals give no sign that they are
affected; but it frequently happens that
whole band is attacked, and then we
have what is known as hog cholera.
In that case the animals have them in
excess, and they die with them the
same as human beings
Have other cases occurred In Penn
svlyania besides this one at CourtneyE
was asked.
oh, yes; there have been great
number, think if you call of doctor
- of Sixth avenue, he can tell
you where he attended an entire settle
ment up in the Allegheny Valley some
two or three years ago, among which
the trichinosis had become epidemic
Does it ever assume the epidemic
form?'
1T is said to do so. We have ac-
counts where it has been epidemic and
Frustrated nearly the people in
special locality in Europe. 1t can
only become so by that locality being
freely supplied with pork greatly az
fected by it,
is their no way of combating the
evil?'
None that has yet been devised.
All pork is dangerous unless thorough
ly cooked 1t takes 2l20 of steady
heat to kill the parasites when they
are encysted in muscles, and in large
piece of meat, like ham, or shoulder,
for instance, when it may appear to be
thoroughly cooked there are still para
sites with vitality in it The trichine
are very tenacious of life, and will sur
vive great deal
why have not more cases become
prominent?'
Probably the attending physicians
have not had time or have not had the
inclination to make post mortem exam
nations. Besides the disease is by no
means thoroughly understood by the
best of the profession. Its pathology
and treatment are still in their infancy
DO YOU think there are people walk
ing around the streets with trichina in
their system?'
Undoubtedly. Many, no doubt,
here in Pittsburgh, have the parasites
located in them, though l do not know
how it can be told Why, the cele-
brated Virchow, in one of his reports,
states that be found trichina encysted
and alive in portions of the muscles OF
cancerous tumor that he removed
from patient, and the previous his
tory of the patient showed that he had
been affected by trichinosis twenty
four years before the tumor was re-
moved
The trichine discovered in the speci-
men taken from the body of Mrs.
Schulties appeared to be from 1-75th
of an inch to 1-20th of an inch long,
and from 1-l,O00th to 1-500th of an
inch thick
The following official report of the
treatment and condition of the patients
at Sniderstown will be of interest to
the medical profession, as assisting to
the diagnosis of the case and its symp-
toms.
When the physician first saw Mrs.
Schulties, March 7-(nine days after
eating the infected pork she was suf-
fering with violent muscular pains of
the arms and limbs.
The knees drawn up and the arms
sharply bent, unable to move, some
difficulty of swallowing and chewing
Irritable stomach, nausea and vom-
iting, and severe diarrhea which were
very thin and watery. Severe neural
gic pains in the abdomen and profuse
sweats.
Pulse 100, temperature 1922, respir-
alton 80.
These symptoms varied more or
less, some abating, other aggravated
until March Is, when all the symptoms
became more intense, diarrh9a more
severe, perverted sensibilty of limbs
and an exalted sensibility of the body,
severe pains in the ears and throat,
difficulty Of speech and almost inability
to swallow, and severe attacks of short
ness of breath.
Marked swelling of the face and ex-
tremities and the patient in supplied
condition; on being reused she would
again fall into this condition.
Pulse, 130; temperature, 1O40, res
piration, 40. These symptoms con-
tinued until March 10, when she died.
Mr., Shulties went to bed March l3.
His symptoms from then until now
were as his wife's, though not so in
tense. Though still living grave
doubts are entertained as to his re-
covery. To-day Saturday, pulse l20,
temperature 1907.
A provision broker on Wood street,
said 4 do not think these reports of
trichina have any effect upon the pork
market. In every instance where peo-
pie have been made sick by trichins it