

INFESTING THE MUSCLES OF THE HUMAN BODY. id 323 
I have seen, in two pieces of the diseased muscle, groups of minute oblong vesicles, 
about =4,th part of an inch in length; and these may by possibility be germs of the 
Trichina: they are pellucid, and without internal spot or other structure. 
Although the parasites which have been described are of such minute size, their 
number is so immense, and their distribution throughout the muscular system so ex- 
tensive, that they must occasion debility from the quantity of nutriment required for 
their support. It is satisfactory, however, to believe, and the history of the two cases 
which have afforded the materials of the present communication encourages the belief, 
that the Trichine are productive of no other consequence than debility of the muscular 
system ; and it may be questioned how far they can be considered as a primary cause of 
debility, since an enfeebled state of the vital powers is the probable condition under 
which they are originally developed. No painful or inconvenient symptoms were pre- 
sent to lead the medical attendants to suspect the condition of the muscular system 
which dissection afterwards disclosed ; and it is not improbable that in all cases the 
patient himself will be unconscious of the presence of the microscopic parasites which 
are enjoying their vitality at his expense. 
An inspection of the muscles of recently amputated limbs might afford the opportu- 
nity of examining this interesting species under peculiarly favourable circumstances ; 
and the occurrence of two cases in the same dissecting-room within so short a period 
of each other, with the recollection of similar appearances being not unfrequently pre- 
sent in subjects dissected in the same establishment, render it highly probable that a 
sufficient number of observations will soon occur to elucidate this curious disease in all 
its relations. 
It is one, and by no means the least important benefit of the present system of pro- 
viding subjects for anatomical purposes, that the histories of the uncommon appear- 
ances which may present themselves can be traced, and the circumstances to which the 
appearances relate be accurately determined. Many an interesting pathological con- 
dition has been wholly lost to science from the want of such regulations as are now in 
operation ; and it is not unreasonable to suppose that the unfavourable condition in 
which subjects were formerly for the most part obtained, may have contributed to pre- 
vent due attention being paid to the appearance which has been described, and which 
results from so singular and unexpected a cause. 

PLATE XLI. 
Figg. 1 to 9. TricHiNa SPIRALIS. 
Fig. 1. A portion of the fleror carpi ulnaris of the Italian subject, showing the cap- 
sules of the Trichine scattered over the muscle and tendon, of the natural 
size, 
