2/5/04 9:48 AM Elizabeth Miller wrote:

>Perhaps someone
> can explain why pig meat has such a bad reputation apart from biblical
> restrictions.
> 
> Liz

Pigs are part of the lifecycle of human tapeworm.  There are lots of
references on the net re this if you require more info.  Below is a para
from one I found at random:

====
Neurocysticercosis(NCC) is the most common parasitic infection of the brain
affecting more than 50 million people all over the world. NCC is caused by
infection of the larvae of the pig tapeworm Taenia solium(TS). Pigs become
infected when they ingest contaminated human faeces. If  someone ingests
diseased (measly) pork meat containing larva forms of this tapeworm or
ingests its eggs when eating contaminated foods, the parasite finds its way
to the small intestine where they become mature. From here the parasite
spreads to the brain to form of cystic lesions, also affecting the eyes,
muscles or spinal cord.
=====

My thought is that the "unclean" tag --at least as far as the old testament
is concerned --had some basis and benefit in the promotion of general
hygiene back then. 

John Holman
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