Sargent, to Mr. Neignouret, April 10, 1883

Mr. Sargent to Mr. Neignouret.

Sir: Referring to your letter of March 22, and mine of March 24, concerning the cases of trichinosis alleged to exist at Tilsit, I have the honor now to inform you that the United States consular agent at Konigsberg, Mr. Conrad Gaedeke, a very reliable and intelligent gentleman, writes to me, under date of April 9, that he has observed my instructions and investigated the cases of trichinosis at the army quarters at Tilsit, and the causes thereof, and now states * * * that at the beginning of March there were fourteen very slight cases of trichinosis, from which every one suffering has now fully recovered. The soldiers did not receive the infected pork as rations, but ate it outside, probably receiving it from their relations, in which case it was undoubtedly native pork. As raw native pork is the ascertained cause of all trichinosis in Germany, when the cause has been traced, as I am informed by German medical authority, it is most certain to have been the cause in this instance.

I inclose a copy of Mr. Gaedeke’s letter, by which you will observe also that the statement that deaths had occurred was totally false, and have, &c.,