540 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



ascertained were Germans. In certain States of the German Empire 

 the custom of eating raw pork is a common one, and out of 6,329 

 cases which occurred in that country during the years 1881 to 1898 

 (as collected by Stiles), 5,456 cases occurred in States where raw 

 pork is an established article of diet. 



The frequency of trichinosis in hogs in this country, as in- 

 dicated by the microscopic examination of pork for export, formerly 

 carried on by this Bureau (not because it was considered of value as 

 a sanitary measure, but for the purpose of meeting the requirements 

 of foreign trade) , averages from 1 to 2 per cent. In some localities 

 the percentage is much higher than this, in others it is less, and 

 there is more or less variation from year to year. 



In spite of the prevalence of trichinosis among hogs in this 

 country there need be no fear of infection in man if the proper pre- 

 cautions are taken. The danger of infection may be entirely avoid- 

 ed, and only avoided, if pork is not eaten until after it has 'been 

 thoroughly cooked or thoroughly cured. By either of these means 

 any trichinae which may be present are killed and rendered harm- 

 less. Trichinous meat thus treated is perfectly fit for food and just 

 as wholesome as non-infested meat, except in rare instances when 

 the infestation is so severe as to cause extensive pathologic changes. 



Microscopic inspection of pork (examining certain portions of 

 the carcasses of slaughtered hogs with the microscope and condemn- 

 ing carcasses in which trichinae are found), on account of the 

 danger of overlooking the parasites in many cases when they may 

 be present, has not proved to be an effective means of preventing 

 trichinosis in countries where it has been employed. Although the 

 chances of infection are greatly reduced through the condemnation 

 of many trichinous hogs which would otherwise be placed on the 

 market, microscopic inspection in another way favors the occur- 

 rence of trichinosis by creating a false feeling of security in the 

 minds of the public, many persons 'believing themselves perfectly 

 safe in eating raw pork if it has been inspected and passed as free 

 from trichinae. The experience of Germany, where a very elaborate 

 system is in operation, with a force of inspectors variously estimated 

 at 25,000 to 100,000, fully demonstrates the fact that microscopic 

 inspection is not successful as a means of barring trichinous pork 

 from market. Out of the 6,329 cases of trichinosis occurring in 

 Germany between 1881 and 1898, 2,042 cases (over 32 per cent) 

 have been traced by Stiles to meat which had been inspected and 

 passed as free from trichinae. 



In numerous instances trichinous pork has been microscopically 

 examined as many as twenty or thirty times before the parasites 

 were found, and as it is utterly impracticable to make so many ex- 

 aminations, the unreliability of inspection for trichinae should be 

 obvious to all. Since its uselessness as a sanitary measure is evident, 

 microscopic inspection is not included in the system of meat inspec- 

 tion followed in this country. Consumers should understand that 

 the Government mark "U. S. Inspected and Passed" does not guar- 

 antee that the meat has been inspected for trichinae. In all cases 



