Trichinosis

This educational film, likely produced in the 1940s, delves into the science and prevention of trichinosis, a parasitic disease caused by the Trichinella worm, commonly linked to undercooked pork. Shot in black-and-white, it begins by illustrating how infestation occurs: a narrated sequence traces the parasite’s journey from contaminated meat to human consumption, emphasizing improper cooking as the culprit. The film then shifts to a laboratory setting, where technicians demonstrate the preparation of microscope slide specimens—slicing infected tissue, staining it, and mounting it for analysis. Photomicrographic sequences take center stage, offering magnified views of the Trichinella life cycle: larvae encysting in muscle tissue, hatching in the intestines, and spreading through the bloodstream. Close-ups reveal the coiled worms in stark detail, paired with diagrams to clarify their development. Aimed at students, farmers, or public health audiences, it concludes with practical advice on cooking meat thoroughly, reflecting mid-20th-century efforts to combat foodborne illnesses.