88 DISEASES OF MUSCLES AND TENDONS. 



muscular fasciculi are crushed between t^YO glasses and examined 

 with a low power. 



The trichinae will be found towards the ends of the muscle near 

 the region of the tendons ; few or none exist in the fat. These 

 parasites are most readily discovered in the diaphragm, in the 

 muscles of the shoulders and quarters, and in the psoas muscles. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is relatively favourable so long as infesta- 

 tion is only moderate. But it is very grave from the point of view 

 of public hygiene, on account of the possibility of persons becoming 

 infected by eating the diseased meat. 



Treatment. There is no 'curative treatment. Formerly it was 

 believed that, provided the condition were early diagnosed, the intes- 

 tinal form might possibly be cured by administering purgatives and 

 vermifuges so as to prevent the embryos penetrating the system. 



After Askanazy's discoveries this view had to be abandoned, and 

 the practitioner is necessarily powerless in dealing with the muscular 

 form. Time alone effects improvement and a relative cure by causing 

 caseo-calcareous degeneration of the cysts. ^Vith a prophylactic object, 

 every precaution should be taken to prevent the possibility of pigs being 

 contaminated. This question particularly interests America, because of 

 the extreme prevalency of pig trichinosis there. 



From the point of view of public hygiene all infected meat should 

 be seized and destroyed, despite the fact that perfect cooking destroys 

 the vitality of the parasites, which perish at 120° Fahr. 



Ordinary salting but slightly affects their vitality, which explains 

 why from time to time the importation of meat has to l)e prohibited 

 and why meat should always be scrupulously inspected. 



