TRICHINA SPIRALIS. 351 



" The observations which have been made on the human subject, 

 in regard to the symptoms caused by Trichinae, show that they 

 belong, as in animals, to the initial period of infection. They con- 

 sist in intestinal and in muscular lesions ; the latter coincide with 

 the entrance of the parasite into the rauscles, and are truly trau- 

 matic. In Zenker's case, the intestinal symptoms were swelling 

 and pain ; in a case described by Friedreich, diarrhoea was present. 

 In all cases, the most remarkable symptoms were violent rheumatoid 

 pains in the muscles, not in the joints, which were considerably 

 aggravated by attempts to extend the half-bent hmbs. The other 

 symptoms have been variable, but have had a strong resemblance 

 to those of typhoid fever. In several cases there has been abun- 

 dant sweating ; and in one there was a very remarkable miliary 

 and furuncular eruption. The animal heat was diminished in 

 Friedreich's case ; and in those observed in Yoigtland by Freytag, 

 the temperature never exceeded 102° Fahr. 



" The progress, duration, and severity of the disease in man are 

 in relation to the number of Trichinae taken into the digestive 

 canal. Of sixteen patients observed at Plauen by Drs. Boehler and 

 Koenigsdoeflfer, eight, who were moderately affected, recovered in a 

 month ; four, more severely diseased, were ill two months ; of four 

 others, one died with ascites and colhquative diarrhoea at the end 

 of two months, and three recovered slowly at the end of three or 

 four months. Recovery does not imply the death of the Trichinae ; 

 it follows their enclosure in cysts. 



" The diagnosis of trichinal infection has several times been 

 made in the living human subject by removing a portion of muscle. 

 M. Davaine thinks it probable that, during the first six or eight 

 weeks of the disease, the diagnosis may be confirmed by searching 

 for adult Trichinae in the alvine evacuations, produced naturally or 

 by means of a purgative. 



" The prophylactic treatment consists simply in the avoidance 

 of uncooked meat. The medicinal treatment must vary with the 

 stage of the disease. At first, attempts must be made to expel the 



