The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1918-05-25

article of food is we'll known. John Alexan-
der Dowie taught that the eating OF SWINE
flesh should not only be condemned upon
Scriptural grounds, but for scientific reasons
He brought abundant evidence to prove thai
impure blood, with it's consequent tram OF
Ioathsome diseases - such as cancer ano
scrofula are caused by eating this food
which was pronounced unclean under the
Levitical law.
Under the heading, "Pork Not Microscopic
ally Inspected for Trichina,' the government
Year Book of the Department OF Agriculture,
for 1916, says:
"Under the Federal meat inspection, pork
is not microscopically inspected Tor trlchlna'
There is no practicable method OF microscope
inspection which is even approximately ef-
factive for the prevention of trichinosis in
nersons who eat uncooked pork Careful
investigations in one of the European coun-
tries in which highly developed system is in
force have shown that nearly third OF all
the cases of trichinosis, several thousand IN
number. which occurred during period OF
18 wears were caused by pork which had been
microscopically inspected and passed by the
INSPECTORS of that country as free from trl-
chinae. Evidence of this kind and various
other considerations have led authorities to
the conclusion that pork, even though it has
been microscopically inspected, is not safe
article of food unless it has been properly
cooked or otherwise treated to destroy any
trichinae which may be present.
"In countries in which there is an estab-
lished and widely prevalent custom OF eating
uncooked pork, microscopic inspection is
perhaps justified as means of reducing
somewhat the danger of trichinosis, though
on the other hand, it tends to encourage the
unhygienic custom of eating uncooked pork
by creating false sense of security in the
minds of the public Under the conditions
which exist in the United States, microscopic
inspection, in view of it's great expense and
the imperfect results does not appear war
ranted. On the contrary, it is reasonably
certain that if a comparatively small part OF
the huge sum that would be required an.
nually for microscopic inspection were Ju.
diciously employed in extending the educa
ton of the public on the subject of trichinosis
it would do more toward the prevention OF
the disease in this country than any system
of microscopic inspection which could pos
sibly be established.
Gin the United States most persons are
careful to cook pork before eating it, anc
there is only small fraction of the popula
ton, of foreign origin or under the influence
of foreign food customs, who follow the
dangerous practice of eating uncooked pork
in one or more of it's various forms OF pre-
paration, such as special kinds of sausage
hams loin rolls, etc. Considerable quantities
of products of the kind just mentioned are
prepared in official establishments, and fol
the protection of the consumers, who may be
either ignorant or careless of the dangers OF
raw pork, the Federal Government, as ar
alternative to the uncertain method of mi
croscopic examination, requires that otflcla
establishments subject all articles consisting
wholly or in part of pork, it OF a kind Gus
tomarily eaten without cooking, to certain
prescribed processes which have been founc
to destroy trichinae.
eft is important to note that these meas
ures employed with reference to safeguard
ing pork products apply only to those which
are of kinds customarily eaten without cook
ing, and do not apply to pork products, such
as ordinary cured hams, bacon, and other
products, which are customarily cooked be-
fore they are eaten, nor to fresh uncOokeC
pork.
"1n view of the foregoing, it may be stated
that the practice of thoroughly cooking pork
offers the best safeguard against trichinosis
and in general it is the only preventive
method which can be absolutely depended up
on by the consumer. Therefore, the certain
way of avoiding trichinosis is to eat no pork
unless it has been properly cooked. Whoever
fails to observe this precaution runs the risk
of acquiring sooner or later most painful
and distressing disease which frequently
terminates in death. Everyone should re-
member this simple rule of food hygiene
Cook pork well.'
We will say, by way of comment that Zion
steers on the safe side by rejecting swine's
flesh as food, either cooked or uncooked.
Just stop for a moment and think of eating
piece of flesh squirming with millions OF
parasites of the most deadly character! Who
cares to eat a mass of cooked worms?