1028 RFPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [2] 



(2) In the second we endeavor to ascertain the physical characters of 

 the codfish which have produced these cases of poisoning, with the aid 

 of all the information contained in the reports of the physicians who 

 have treated these cases. 



(3) In the third we give the results of recent investigations relative 

 to the nature of the red color of the codfish; and we show that not only 

 is the red in the codfish not poisonous, but that it is not even the de- 

 termining cause of the putrid change of the codfish. We endeavor, 

 moreover, to ascertain under what special conditions this abnormal 

 color develops, and we show the means by which it may be caused to 

 disappear, or by which its development may be prevented. 



(4) In the fourth we show that all the cases of poisoning which have 

 been observed must be attributed solely to the eating of spoiled codfish, 

 whose flesh had already become more or less putrid. We also give the 

 results of investigations relative to the specific poisonous matter con- 

 tained in spoiled codfish. We compare the phenomena produced by 

 eating spoiled codfish with those produced by other spoiled articles of 

 animal food, and show the difference between these phenomena. 



(5) In the fifth we enter into some technical details regarding the cod 

 fisheries, and regarding the curing and preserving of cod ; we show the 

 important place which this fish holds among the articles of human food; 

 and we point out the evil effect which the ministerial circular of De- 

 cember 31, 1885, is liable to produce on national and local commerce, 

 without yielding any benefit for hygiene and the health of the people. 



[. — REVIEW OF CASES OF POISONING, IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. 



(1) Case on a gun-boat in I860, reported by Dr. Marechal, chief physician 



of the nary. 



"In 18Gb' there suddenly appeared on the 5th of June, in the port of 

 Toulon, a sickness which fortunately was not very serious, but which, 

 when night set in, had attacked about one hundred and thirty men be- 

 longing to the navy. All awoke with violent colic, followed soon by 

 liquid, copious, and frequent operations, sometimes by vomiting, and 

 more or less pronounced headache; nearly all the patients had a cold 

 skin, and occasionally they were slightly feverish. In nearly all cases 

 a very marked prostration was noticed, accompanied by profuse per- 

 spiration, and an evident tendency to a syncopal condition. 



;t I at once began to search for the cause of these phenomena. The 

 kitchen utensils were in perfect condition, but the crew had on that 

 day had codfish for their meals. I had the codfish brought to me, and 

 tasted it raw, after 1 had already eaten it cooked at the same meal as 

 the crew ami without producing in me the slightest inconvenience. 



"The appearauce of the phenomena was as follows: After a period 

 varying between half an hour am! one hundred and fifteen hours, and 

 averaging from five to fifteen hours, the symptoms began to appear. 



