Trichina

tri-ki'na (plural, Trichinae), a small worm much dreaded as a parasite. It infests the muscles of the pig, rabbit, rat, and other animals. In an undeveloped condition each worm becomes surrounded by a small cyst or hardened envelope. When pork containing trichinae is eaten by man, the cysts are dissolved, the trichinae develop rapidly and breed in the alimentary canal, producing myriads of young within a few hours. These find their way into the walls of the intestines, and become encysted in the muscles. The irritation caused by their moving creates a loss of appetite and pains like those of rheumatism. The limbs swell as in dropsy; diarrhoea sets in. The results are always unpleasant and are sometimes fatal. A temperature of 167 degree F. kills the young trichinae. For this reason it is not considered safe to eat pork that has not been cooked thoroughly. The laws of Germany and other countries require that imported pork be examined under the microscope for trichinae. See Parasite; Tapeworm