The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-14
TRICHIN0SIS.
DR.. Abrams Lectures on the Dis
ease and Its Cure.
He Describes the German System Of State
Prevention and Advocates Its Adoption
in This State,

The subject of the eighth of the Lane
course of lectures, delivered last evening by
DR.. Abrams at the Cooper Medical College,
was 'Trichinosis."
The trichine, said DR.. Abrams, are little
animacule that infest swine. They are also
found in rats, foxes, cats and other animals.
They were first noticed by Paget in 1885
aud described by Owen.
The parasite is fully developed as it ap-
pears in the muscles. 1t is then known as
tie muscular trichina and is surrounded by
d capsule. When piece Of diseased meat
is swallowed the capsule is dissolved in the
stomach and what are known as intestinal
trchin 1 are produced in two OF three days.
The muscular trichine are straighter than
the intestinal, and the female is longer than
the male to contain the ova.
WONDERFUL FERTILITY.
One mother trichina will produce 100000
embryo The embryo reaches the muscles
either through its own action or it is car
RED by the blood, probably by the former,
for it is found in the greatest numbers in
the muscles that lie nearest to the stomach.
In the muscles it assumes a spiral form and
in from three 10 five weeks capsules are
formed around these muscular triehin8.
The capsules are elliptical in shape and
contain, as a rule, one trehina, but some
lines two or three. Death usually occurs
during the passage OF the trlchln8 to the
muscles. A man may suffer no hurt after
the tTichin8 have reached that portion OF
the human anatomy.
DR.. Abrams then discussed the question
of how the hog became infected. Modern
authorities agree that the rat is the print
tive source of trichinR, and it is a well-eS-
tablished fact that hogs consume rails.
a REPULSIVE PRACTICE.
The lecturer strongly condemned the
practice which prevailed IN this state OF
feeding swine on dead hogs, saying that this
was fruitful source Of spreading disease
The symptoms Of trichinOSis were next
discussed These take the form of acute di-
gestlye disorders, muscular weakness and,
in some cases, neuralgia pains. Adults
suffer from insomnia and children from
sumnolenee. DrOpsy is a common symptom
OF triehnoss. If fatal termination occurs,
it usually takes place in from four to i've
weeks. and is usually due to loss or breath
ing power. The disease IN Children usually
taxes mildeT form.
There are two classes Of preventatives-
State action in the way OF legislation and
Inspection, and individual preeaution. The
system in vogue in Germany has mitigated
the disease. By the German laws, three
local ufiicals-a Superintendent Of inspec-
lion, a Meat Inspector and Il Sample-taker-
are appointed in every district.
GERMAN LAWS.
No hog can be removed from the
slaughter-hOuse until it has been examined,
and all meat puryeyors have to report the
slaughter of a hog to the Meat Inspector
within twelve hours after'killing. Several
samples are taken from the parts of the
carcass that are most likely 10 be infected
and examined under the microscope. If the
hrg is found to be diseased 1t IS carefully
destroyed and all vessels that have been
used are thoroughly disinfected. Ans dere-
LECTION of duty on the part OF the inspectors
is severely punished.
The most important precautionary meas
uTe for individuals is that the meat should
be thoroughly cooked, though heat of 1902
Fahrenheit has been found not to destroy
the parasites. Extreme cold will also destroy
the trIchin9
EXTENT OF THE DISEASE.
From a scientific standpoint. it is folly to
object to the exclusion of the American hog.
In 1887 a careful examination Of nearly
10000 Prussian hogs revealed That only 4
per cent were diseased. OF eighty EIGHT
American swine landed in Germany Il or 16
per cent were diseased.
TrichiuOsls exists in California. The
first case, that of an Italian at Snsanville
was reported by DR.. GrObin Of SusanVille
to DR.. Lane in March, 1886. Later DR.. w.
5. Tangl0r Of LiyermOre discovered some
cases in his vicinity. About month ago.
four Italians developed symptoms of tri-
chinosis shortly after eating pork. Two Of
them took remedies at once and escaped
any further development Of the disease. OF
the others one died and the other is likely to
die
AN ADMONITION.
Since trichinOsis exists on this coast,
meat should be examined microscopically,
and should be duly certified as sound before
being offered for sale. II necessary, legisla-
ton TO that effect should be passed. lnfor-
nation as to the best means of private, in
diyidual prevention should be circulated in
pamphlet form, and medicine should thus
perform her noblest work, the prevention Of
disease
1t was announced that the next lecture
would be delivered by Professor Potter Of
Cooper College on Friday, the 9th inst.
Professor Potter is in Europe, however. bnt
he has forwarded his paper. which will be
read in his absence. Its subject is: ''The
Diseases Communicated From the Animals
t. Man."