EFFECTS OF X-RAYS ON TRICHINA 



By Benjamin Schwartz 

 Zoological Division, Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Department of Agriculture 



INTRODUCTION 



The object of the experiments that are described in this paper was to 

 determine whether X-rays exert deleterious influences on trichinae 

 (Trichinella spiralis), with a view to the practical application of X-ray 

 radiation to the destruction of trichinae in pork. These experiments 

 were performed with the cooperation of a commercial firm that was 

 operating X-ray machines in Florida. The experiments were planned 

 and the details arranged by B. H. Ransom, Chief of the Zoological 

 Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry, in consultation with the 

 roentgenologist of the firm in question. The former supervised the 

 tests made by the writer to determine the effects of the X-ray treatment 

 upon the trichinae, while the latter carried out the portions of the investi- 

 gations relating to the X-ray treatment, calculations of the X-ray dos- 

 ages used, etc. 



The number of experiments that have been performed are insufficient 

 to warrant any definite conclusions concerning the feasibility of applying 

 X-ray radiation to the destruction of trichinae in pork in routine packing- 

 house procedure. Aside from the fact that the expense involved may 

 render that procedure impracticable, much more experimental work 

 than is presented in this paper would be required to demonstrate whether 

 X-ray treatment could be depended upon to destroy trichinae. The 

 experimental data at hand are of interest from a general scientific view- 

 point, however, and it is from that point of view that they are presented. 



In a discussion of the effects of X-rays on the flour beetle (Tribolium 

 confusum), Davey, ! referring to his own work and the work of various 

 other investigators, states: 



X-rays may act upon an organism (or on a single type of cell in that organism) in 

 one of three ways: (i) to produce a stimulation; (2) to produce a destructive effect 

 which takes place only after a certain latent interval; (3) to produce an instant de- 

 structive effect. 



That the effects of X-rays on trichinae so far as they are injurious 

 become evident only after the parasites are subjected to influences that 

 stimulate them to growth and development, or, in other words, after they 

 reach the intestine of a host in which they normally attain sexual maturity, 



1 Davey, Wheeler P. the effect of x-rays on the length of life of tribolium confusum. In 

 Jour. Exp. Zool., v. 22, No. 3, p. 575-576. 1917. 



Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. XX, No. 11 



Washington, D. C Mar. 1, 192 1 



ww (845/ Key No. A-57 



