382 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



SO closely resembled degenerate tapewonn cysts that they are very 

 likely to be mistaken for the latter on casual examination. 



PARASITES OF HOGS. 



Two species of small nematodes commonly occurring in the stom- 

 achs of hogs liave been studied, and a bulletin (No. 158) has been 

 prepared concerning them. 



A comparison of the common roundworm found in the small 

 intestine of hogs with the similar form occurring in man is being 

 made in order to determine whether they are of the same or of 

 different species. 



TRICHINOSIS. 



Investigations have been undertaken to determine the amount of 

 cooking necessary to destroy the vitality of trichina* in pork, as there 

 is more or less uncertainty as to the length of time required to insure 

 the desti;uction of the vitality of these parasites when exposed to 

 various temperatures. 



MEASLES IN CATTLE. 



The occurrence of tapeworm cysts in beef {Gysticercus hovis, the 

 intermediate stage of the unarmed tapeworm of man, Twnia saginata) 

 has become very common. The meat-inspection reports show that 

 nearly 1 per cent of the cattle slaughtered in this country are infested 

 with measles. The heart is most commonly involved, then the muscles 

 of mastication, the diaphragm, and the tongue, in the order given. 

 In cooperation with bureau inspectors at various stations an investi- 

 gation has been made as to the number and distribution of tapeworm 

 cysts in infested carcasses, upon the basis of which more adequate 

 regulations concerning the inspection of cattle for measles and the 

 disposal of infested carcasses have been formulated to replace those 

 formerly in force. 



The causes of the prevalence of measles in cattle and of tapeworms 

 in human beings are the insanitary methods of disposing of human 

 excreta in rural districts and the habit of eating raw or rare beef, 

 which is exceedingly common in this country. The most important 

 prophylactic measure is the proper disposal of human excreta, and 

 W observing simple precautions to prevent soil pollution the farmer 

 and stock raiser will not only protect his cattle from tapeworm cvsts 

 and the consumers of beef from tapeworm infestation, but he will 

 also at the same time avoid risk of infection with dangerous diseases, 

 such as typhoid fever and uncinariasis. Every farm should be pro- 

 vided with sanitary outhouses, and defecation in places where there 

 is risk of contaminating directly or indirectly the food or water sup- 

 ply of human beings or live stock should be strictly prohibited. 



MEASLES IN SHEEP. 



During the year at various stations inspectors of the bureau have 

 found a considerable percentage of sheep originating in certain States 

 in the West infested with tapeworm cysts in the heart and voluntary 

 muscles, and a rather large number of carcasses have been condemned 



