No. 253.
Mr. Morton
to Mr. Blaine.
Paris, October 6, 1881. (Received October 21.)
Sir: I am advised unofficially that the minister of agriculture and commerce has at last determined to establish a certain number of laboratories for the purpose of inspecting pork with the microscope. These laboratories are to be located at certain ports of entry, through which all foreign pork intended for France will have to pass, whether coming from the United States or elsewhere. It is not believed, however, that any of these laboratories can be established before some time, owing to the difficulty of finding a sufficient number of men competent to make an efficient use of the microscope.
From what I understand, this step of Mr. Tirard will not give much satisfaction to the French importers of American pork, and I must say that I cannot see the object of the French minister of commerce in persisting in this unjustifiable war on American pork.
If there is a fact well established now, even in France, it is that trichina, which may be found in American pork, is absolutely inoffensive, the salt killing the animalculæ or reducing it to such a state that the slightest cooking achieves its destruction. French scientists of the highest grade and reputation, such as Messrs. Collin, of the great veterinary school of Alfort, Rebourgeon, a well known veterinary surgeon, formerly inspector of the slaughter houses of Paris, Pouchet, professor of biology at the museum of Paris, Peunetier, professor at the museum of Rouen, Zundel, of Strasburg, Dr. Davaine, of the Academy of Medicine, agree with the statement, which is not contradicted by any one having their scientific training and notoriety.
I have, &c.,