h portions of the
pickled or the smoked meat as prepared in this country.

[52 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Symptoms.--The eating of trichinous flesh is not always followed by this
disease.

In the course of a few days after eating the infected meat there are signs
of disturbance of the stomach and bowels, and pain in the abdomen, loss of
appetite, vomiting and sometimes diarrhea; and yet, these preliminary
symptoms do not always occur, for in some of the large epidemics cases
have been observed in which they have been absent. Pain in different parts
of the body, general debility and weakness have been noted in some of the
epidemics. In some instances the stomach and bowel disturbances have been
so marked from the outset that the attack resembled our cholera. The
invasion symptoms develop between the seventh and tenth day. Sometimes not
until the end of the second week, and they are marked by fever, a chill in
some cases and pain and swelling and tenderness along the muscles
involved. The migration of the parasites into the muscles excites a more
or less intense inflammation of these muscles, which is characterized by
pain on pressure and movement, and by swelling and tension of the muscles,
over which the skin may be swollen. The limbs are placed in some position
in which these muscles are more at rest. Difficulty in chewing and
swallowing is caused by the involvement of the muscles controlling these
acts. In severe cases the involvement of the diaphragm and intercostal
muscles may lead to difficult breathing (Dyspnoea) which sometimes proves
fatal. Watery swelling, a feature of great importance, may be seen early
in the face, particularly about the, eyes. Later it develops in the
extremities when the swelling and stiffness of the muscles are at their
height. Profuse sweats, tingling and itching of the skin and in some
instances hives (Urticaria) have been described.

There are emaciation and anemia. In the severe cases the appearance may be
like that in the third week of typhoid fever. In mild cases the fever and
muscular symptoms subside in ten to fourteen days, in others only after
two or three months. The mortality, from one to thirty per cent, seems to
depend upon the virulence and number of parasites.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT.--If discovered within twenty-four to thirty-six
hours, thoroughly empty the bowel with purgatives. Rhubarb and senna, or
an occasional dose of calomel may be given. Relieve the pains afterwards
a