Linton. — Fish Parasites and Public Health 27 



July 21, one — numerous nematodes on viscera. July 

 23, one — enormous numbers of immature nematodes on 

 and among the pyloric caeca. August 10, three — serous 

 coat of pyloric caeca with large numbers of immature 

 nematodes. August 22, four — numerous small, immature 

 nematodes found on pyloric caeca. 



Also on p. 453 of the same volume the following state- 

 ment under the butterfish is made : 



Immature nematodes. Very abundant. Found in the 

 majority of specimens examined in 1899 and 1900; small, 

 pale red ; particularly abundant on pyloric caeca — length 

 13 millimeters. 



This record is introduced here to show that there is 

 nothing in the nature of a seasonal epidemic in the occur- 

 rence of nematodes on the viscera of the butterfish. Fur- 

 ther, it should be said, those who have given attention 

 to the distribution of animal parasites could furnish just 

 as impressive figures for many of the species of animals 

 used for food. 



A careful consideration of the facts above recorded 

 will I am sure, convince any unprejudiced person that 

 the New York health officials were mistaken in their 

 supposition that the nematodes of the butterfish were 

 in the flesh. 



If there is any one who would allow my find of three 

 small nematodes in the multitude of nearly 6,000 fishes 

 to prejudice him against the use of an excellent food 

 fish, he should not only become a vegetarian, but should 

 make a microscopic examination of any fruit or vegetable 

 salads, or mushrooms that may come on the table if he 

 wishes to escape the possibility of an occasional nema- 

 tode finding sanctuary in his fastidious insides. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



1. Helminth parasites in the alimentary canal and on 

 the viscera of animals used for food are of frequent 

 occurrence. 



2. Occasionally they occur in the flesh of the animal, 

 as in the well-known cases of trichina in pork, and the 

 encysted stages of tape worms in beef and pork. 



