TRICHINOSIS. 737 



temperature and the pulse lower, the perspiration less copious, the 

 thirst abates, appetite returns, but the exhausted patients are confined 

 to bed for a long time, and regain strength very slowly. Just as after 

 other severe diseases, oedema often occurs during convalescence, affect- 

 ing even the scrotum and labia. 



TREATMENT. Prophylaxis. When the flesh of a slaughtered hog 

 is carefully examined microscopically, and no trichinae can be found, it 

 may be used, even raw, without danger. There is no doubt that, if 

 competent microscopists examined the flesh of all the pigs killed, new 

 epidemics of trichinosis might be avoided with certainty. I do not 

 think it would be at all difficult, either in the city or country, to find 

 competent persons, who could be so instructed, by microscopical courses 

 and popular theoretical teaching, that they could tell certainly whether 

 specimens of meat referred to them contained trichinae or not. My 

 brother, by his trichina catechism, and by practical courses, has fully 

 qualified a large number of the laity for the microscopical examination 

 of pork for trichinae. Nevertheless, in opposition to celebrated author- 

 ities, I must say that I regard the introduction of an obligatory micro- 

 scopical examination of meat as no guaranty against new epidemics 

 of trichinosis. I have not sufficient trust in the conscientiousness of the 

 persons to whom this would be intrusted, especially in the rural dis- 

 tricts, to believe that, after they had examined for trichinae in vain for 

 years, they would continue their examinations with the necessary ex- 

 actness. It is evident that a microscopical examination, if not carefully 

 conducted, might prove dangerous, because persons relying on it might 

 carelessly eat uncooked meat. The only certain protection against 

 trichina-poisoning is, to eat no pork that has not been prepared in a 

 way that would kill any trichinae present. Whoever wishes to eat 

 uncooked pork, smoked ham, sausage, etc., should previously inform 

 himself that the pig from which they came contained no trichinae. I 

 advise my students to warn their patients (even those living in places 

 where the flesh is examined) against the use of all dishes prepared from 

 pork, which we mentioned under Etiology as being dangerous. 



Treatment of the Disease. From what we have said of the tenacity 

 of life of muscular trichinae, there is little hope of finding a remedy by 

 which they may be killed without injury to the patient in whom they 

 exist. Friedreictts proposal, to use the very bitter nitropicrate of pot- 

 ash in trichinosis, has not proved serviceable ; it certainly permeates all 

 the tissues of the body, but the views regarding its anthelmintic action 

 differ. It is also doubtful whether benzine, as recommended by Mosler, 

 has any effect. There is far more hope that, some time, we shall find 

 a remedy to kill intestinal trichinae, or remove them from the bowels. 

 This indication exists, not only in recent cases, but must be remem- 



