9352 Notices of Books. 
invasion considerably altered.” My reader will of course detect a 
discrepancy in date, which I am unable to explain, and which remains 
for a somewhat more methodical writer than our author hereafter to 
clear up. “In moving through the fibres the worms cause, according 
to the researches of Virchow and Colberg, an acute parenchymatous 
inflammation of the muscular tissue ; the fibres lose their stripes and 
gain a homogeneous appearance, in others the substance is changed 
into fine granules, small cells are -found in rapid proportion.” “ If 
men or animals thus trichinosed survive these multiple [?] inflamma- 
mations, convalescence sets in towards the fourth week from the com- 
mencement of the disease.” Without dwelling on the meaning of the 
word “ multiple,” which does not appear quite appropriate, I may here 
remark that the contingency of men or animals thus trichinosed sur- 
viving the attack does not appear very remote, as we shall immediately 
see. “ Mr. Curling found Trichine in the muscles of two robust men 
who were killed while in the apparent enjoyment of good health ; one 
by fracture of the skull, the other by fracture of nearly all the ribs.” 
This, taken in conjunction with the fact that they also occur in the 
most delicate pork fed purposely for the table, seems to show that the 
disease is by no means constant in its lethal effects. 
Indeed our author seems himself dissatisfied with the number and 
authenticity of the recorded cases of Trichinosis, and appeals for sup- 
port to very apocryphal sources: he lays claim, and as it appears to 
me, very unwisely, to those human maladies of the origin of which we 
are in utter darkness ; but I will let him speak for himself. There 
are, in fact,” writes this learned physician, “ many cases on record in 
medical literature, which were at the time believed to be such, of 
gastric, rheumatic or typhoid fever, or in which even poisoning with 
criminal intent was suspected, but which we may now safely claim as 
instances of Trichina disease.” If this view of the case be taken 
there will be a complete revolution in medical jurisprudence. The 
allopath will treat the victim with picronitrate of potash instead of 
trying the murderer at the Old Bailey ; and the homeopath may per- 
chance relieve kleptomania itself by the exhibition of an infinitesimal 
portion of measly pork. But Dr. Althaus shall himself give his own 
illustration of what he considers “ may safely be claimed as an instance 
of Trichina disease.” I will neither add nor subtract a word. 
“In 1845 a company of eight gentlemen being engaged in the 
inspection of schools in Saxony, dined together at an inn, and partook, 
amongst other dishes, of ham and sausages. They all, with the 
exception of one, who merely drank a glass of claret, fell ill, and four 
