George W. Sargent to Frederick A. Fox, October 21, 1883
Mr. Sargent to Mr. Fox.
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 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.,