A national sanitary question : new entozootic malady : observations on the probably introduction of this formidable disease, and on the almost inevitable increase of parasitic diseases in general, as a consequence of the proposed extensive utilization of sewage / by T. Spencer Cobbold.

  • Cobbold, T. Spencer (Thomas Spencer), 1828-1886.
Date:
1865
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A national sanitary question : new entozootic malady : observations on the probably introduction of this formidable disease, and on the almost inevitable increase of parasitic diseases in general, as a consequence of the proposed extensive utilization of sewage / by T. Spencer Cobbold. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    the impropriety of their doing so. Like Tennyson's Northern Farmerj each one says :— “ I ■n'cant break rules for Doctor ; a knaws naw moor nor a floy.” And so they continue all to enjoy their underdone rations, including the tapeworm larvae. Doubtless, also, they could find not a few intelligent fiiends to take their part. For example, a benevolent member of the society established for the preven- tion of cruelty to animals might stand forward, and with perfect consistency say, Hold! you have no right to cook that piece of meat; it contains the larvae of a highly-organized and most interesting animal, the great human tapeworm. Are you going to half-roast or parboil a living creature? The Almighty made this animal for wise purposes. Has not the creature as much right to live as you yourself have ? Do not your abdominal viscera constitute the divinely-appointed terri- tory, the area of which these wonderful animals are specially designed to occupy ? Are you prepared to frustrate the inten- tions of the All-wise, who surely created tapeworms in order that they might ‘ be fruitful and multiply' ? Look at our brethren, the Burates, or Cossacks of the Baikal; they all eat underdone meat, and, therefore, they all enjoy the high privilege of playing the part of ‘ host' to these interesting guests.' You are a cruel fellow. I protest against your roasting any small animal alive! Very good. This would be a perfectly con- sistent argument in the mouths of those who, from the kindliest motives, take up the cause of the inferior animals. For my own part, I am proud to believe that I am of more value than many ‘“’tapeworms (which, by the way, infest “sparrows), and consequently I prefer my meat well cooked. If the matter stopped here, I would say no more about it; especially since some friendly people have imagined me to be so fascinated with tapeworms as to have ironically expressed their belief that I should grieve to see these charming animals totally eradicated. They, of course, mean that I should bo sorry to lose the opportunity of adding to my helminthological cabinet. Without going so far as this, I will freely admit, that unless one is “ fascinated, and in earnest, one cannot hope to do good in any walk of life j therefore, hear mo further, while I yet thrust this question more prominently before you.