Legation of
the United States,
Berlin, October 22, 1883.
(Received November 10.)
No. 205.]
[Inclosure in No. 205.]
Mr. Sargent to Mr.
Fox.
Legation of the United States,
Berlin, October 21,
1883.
Sir: Late last night I received a telegram from
the honorable Secretary of State, which reads as follows: [See ante, No. 207.] The cases of trichinosis referred
to in the above are reported to have developed first about four weeks
ago at Ermesleben, near Halberstadt, in your immediate neighborhood, and
to have taken formidable dimensions there, so that by various accounts
from fourteen to fifty persons have already died, and two hundred
persons now lie ill. The disease has also appeared at Gröningen,
Quenstadt, Schwanstedt, and Wegeleben, in the same neighborhood, so that
in all, it is stated, three hundred persons have suffered from it. The
Department desires information to be at once furnished (for the use of
the commission of inquiry into the general subject of American rearing
and packing pork) as to the origin of this disease in the localities in
question. Where were the pigs raised which were consumed by the
sufferers; in what form was the pork eaten, raw or cooked? In short, all
facts obtainable bearing upon the origin of this disease are wished.
As your consular district embraces these localities, you will please make
immediate inquiry as to these points and any other bearing on the
subject which you may deem useful, as to the extent of the epidemic: for
instance, the number of persons affected, the number of deaths, and
action of the authorities in view of the emergency, &c. Also, please
inform me if any American pork now comes into your district, and if
there is any reason for ascribing this visitation to American pork. I
will transmit your report to the Department.
I will ask you to give immediate and personal attention to this matter by
making inquiries on the spot of municipal officers, physicians, and
others able and willing to
[Page 398]
inform you. I am aware that you cannot take testimony under oath in such
cases; but you can undoubtedly gather much and valuable information, and
your acquaintance with the German language and public experience
peculiarly fit you for this work required by the Department. I have no
doubt that the honorable Secretary will allow-you for any necessary
expenses incurred in executing his order.
I have, &c.,
