Parasites: A Treatise on the Entozoa of Man and Animals: Including Some Account of the EctozoaCobbold, T. Spencer (Thomas Spencer)
Science
Parasites: A Treatise on the Entozoa of Man and Animals: Including Some Account of the Ectozoa
Cobbold, T. Spencer (Thomas Spencer)
Helminths; Parasites
arrived was still more startling, and one which, if it were true, would
not fail to create a considerable stir among our officers of health. On
reviewing the whole matter Perroncito says:--“It appears to me that the
melted fat alone of hogs (_maiali grandinosi_) should be utilised, and I
am pleased to reckon the illustrious Gerlach and all other distinguished
practitioners to be of the same opinion. Permit me, therefore, being
well satisfied also with the results of many other experiments, once
more to advance the conclusion that, if it is not certain that the
Cysticerci die at from 80 to 100° Centigrade (176 to 212° Fahr.), we are
quite sure that they dry up and become completely mummified at 125, 130,
and 150° Cent. (257, 268, and 302° Fahr.), temperatures which we could
easily produce by means of a properly constructed apparatus.”
After remarking upon the serious nature of the conclusion which
Perroncito sought to establish, Professor Pellizzari makes further use
of quotations which bear upon the question as to whether the quality of
the vessels in which the fat of diseased hogs is melted down may not
largely affect the degree of high temperature sought to be obtained (in
view of a perfect destruction of the Cysticerci). Perroncito repeatedly
witnessed the operations of pork-butchers; and when portions of meat
were introduced, with water, into the cauldrons, he always saw that the
temperature “was maintained between 97° and 98° Centigrade.” However,
this part of the question may be dismissed in a very few words, since
Perroncito himself finally allows that “the different composition of the
vessels cannot elevate the temperature of the fat by many degrees.”
With the praiseworthy intention of either verifying or refuting these
conclusions, Pellizzari, with the approval of Bosi and with the
assistance of Tommasi, instituted a fresh series of experiments at a
private laboratory. The details of these experiments are exceedingly
interesting; but as their record occupies several pages of Tommasi’s
appendix already referred to, I must content myself with a general
statement of the results obtained. Professor Pellizzari found that
Cysticerci, so far from requiring a temperature of upwards of 100°
Centigrade for their destruction, die at a temperature of 60° Centigrade
(140° Fahr.). He had, it appears, previously taken the initiative in
recommending certain measures to the Florentine municipality, in view of
protecting the public health, and he had now the satisfaction of more
than confirming the wisdom of these sanitary precautions. In excessively
measled animals the fat is removed and boiled in suitable cauldrons, and
has potash mixed with it to render it useful for industrial purposes.
By the various measures adopted the entire animal is utilised, and with
proper precaution there seems little chance for the measles to arrive at
the tænioid or sexually mature condition.
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