WORM NODULES IN BEEF.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1110, 25 April 1911, Page 10

WORM NODULES IN BEEF.

DR. LEIPER'S CONCLUSIONS.- ■ [ A, Local Government Board report, issued last week,'discusses-the question of the parasitic worms occurring in Australian meat. Dr. Leipcr's conclusions are as follow:— . (1) The parasitic nodules in Australian beef are, without exception, due to the presence of long, threadJiko worms of the genus "Onchocerca." (2) The diseased condition, "Onchocerciasis," is not. peculiar to Australian, oattlo, but occurs also, in ' other animals, and in various parts of the wprld ; including the TJnited States of America. ' . - ■■.

(3). The parasites belong to a groun of.worms that require' to be taken up by a ; biting insect, and to undergo a certain degree of development therein before they can be transmitted, to' another, warm-blooded animal. ,

(4)' The worms and their young dp not appear to be capable of surviving for more than a few hours the death of the cattle., No evidence of vitality of the- worm or its embryo has beon mdt with in the caso of Australian beef reaching this country. (5) From (3) and (4) above it follows that; the direct development of the parasite in man as a result of eating the affected meat is impossible. (6) The nodules are tho product of changes taking place in the tissues asa result of some acrid toxin excreted by. tho : worms. In my' opinion', '.their presence in meat intended for.human: consumption is undesirable, for this'-rea-son.

There can bo no question, says'the" report, that- meat affected must'be classed as '"unsqjin'd." Both the worms and tho local ' inflammatory ' products which result from their inrasion are foreign to sound meat, and are : objectionable to. the meat consumer., Steps are now being taken' in Australia to provide for removal of portions of quarters affected by parasitic nodules before • exportation. Although this form of parasite has hitherto attracted attention almost solelv in Australian beef, Dr. Leipcr considers that it. has an area, of distribution wider than Australia,.a consideration which may ho usefully borne in. mind in tho examination ' of beef imported from sther countries.