106 REPORT — 1865. 



A fallacy lurks under the idea that an animal diet and a spare habit of body are 

 associated, partly owing to the circumstance that races of men who use this diet — 

 such as those who are dependent on the chase for a subsistence — are compelled to 

 take much exercise in the pursuit of game, and are often, from scarcity of game, 

 underfed. Nearly the same remark is applicable to our soldiers and sailors, 

 amongst whom a fat man is a rarity ; and no wonder, as though their diet contains 

 a large proportion of animal matter, their meat ration is never in excess; they are 

 rather, especially the soldiers hitherto, underfed than overfed; and want of exercise 

 surely is not one of their wants. 



In conclusion, should the facts here brought forward be considered not altogether 

 conclusive in proof that an animal diet is not specially favourable to a spare habit 

 of body, they may at least suffice to render the opinion doubtful as to its accuracy. 



The author's belief is, and it seems to be the received opinion of most physiologists 

 — one the best founded in experience and most in accordance with the structure of 

 man, and the organs chiefly concerned in digestion, — that a mixed diet, partly ani- 

 mal, partly vegetable, is best adapted to his wants, as well as most suitable and pleas- 

 ing to his taste ; and that the safest way to prevent obesity is to live moderately, 

 observing the happy medium between a too sparing and a too copious dietary ; and 

 for the correction of obesity, attending to quantity rather than to quality of fcod. 



As a striking example of what may be accomplished in the reduction of corpu- 

 lency, a few particulars were added of a man, Thomas Hood, of whom an account 

 has been given by Sir George Baker in the ' Medical Transactions ' for 1767. 



The author also referred to the case of Cornaro, who attained his 101 year, 

 and from his fortieth year restricted himself to 12 ozs. of solid food and to 14 ozs. 

 of wine, and this with the best effects; for from a suffering invalid he became a 

 healthy man, and continue 1 in the enjoyment of excellent In alth without in- 

 terruption to the end of his long life. 



On the Functions of the Cerebellum. Bij Dr. W. Dickenson. 



On the Prevalence of Tapeworm in Birmingham, and its Causes. 

 By Dr. Fleming. 



The author stated that tapeworm prevailed to a great extent in Birming- 

 ham, and was ofren to be seen in its severest forms among the patients of its several 

 hospitals. As compared with Edinburgh, the greater frequency of the disease in 

 Birmingham is very marked. In the General Hospital, the entire number of in- and 

 out-patients, in the year ending June ?>0, 1864, was 22,040, and of these there 

 were 51 cases of tapeworm ; in the Queen's Hospital, the number of patients during 

 the same period was 11, .376, and of these 75 were cases of tapeworm; and in the 

 General Dispensary the number of patients was 4516, there being 12 cases of tape- 

 worm. In Edinburgh, the proportion of tapeworm cases in the hospitals was very 

 small. 



The author, having explained how the measles in the pig developed into tape- 

 worms in man, attributed its prevalence in Birmingham to the large consumption 

 of pork, which in this town is a favourite article of food. 



The average number of pigs sold in Birmingham market weekly is 1500, and of 

 these two-thirds come from Ireland, where the hog suffers more from measles than 

 in any other part of the kingdom. In spite of the careful inspection of the maikets, 

 there* is little doubt that a considerable quantity of the pork sold is measly. "When 

 affected by the disease to such an extent as to render its exposure for public sale 

 hazardous, it is disposed of privately, and much of it is used in making sausages. 



With regard to the prevention of tapeworm, Dr. Fleming urged that the official 

 inspection of living and dead pigs should be made as searching as prssible ; but as 

 this will not suffice completely to protect the public, he advises that information on 

 the subject should be widely diffused, and thus make each consumer his own in- 

 spector. Further, all pork should be eaten either thoroughly well cooked or 

 thoroughly well cured, both ofwhieh processes destroy the parasite. The use of 

 other than home-made sausages should be strictly avoided. 



