338 Expulsion ofTcenia ly Oleum Terebinthince . 



free from all symptoms of his complaint, and had regained 

 his strength and cheerfulness. 



He was generally a little sick after taking the medicine, 

 and for a day or two was affected with a severe pain in the 

 back part of his 4iead, but complained of no other unplea- 

 sant effects from its use. 



Cases IV. and V. 



By George Birkbeck, M.D.F.M.S., Physician to the 

 General Dispensary . 



Dr. Birkbeck stated to the Society that he had admini- 

 stered the oil of turpentine, successfully, to two middle-aged 

 females who had long been troubled with the tape- worm. 



In the first case half an ounce was given : no unpleasant 

 sensation occurred whilst it was swallowed, but consider- 

 able confusion of ideas and vertigo, with a slight degree of 

 nausea, were soon produced. In a short time a discharge 

 from the bowels took place; this was quickly followed by 

 another, with which more than four yards of the worm 

 were evacuated. The patient, in consequence of the fre- 

 quent spontaneous escape of small portions of taenia, and 

 the expulsion of a larger quantity about twelve months be- 

 fore by an active purgative medicine, had an opportunity of 

 comparing the ordinary appearance of the vvorm with that 

 which it now presented. Instead of being whitish, smooth, 

 full, and in motion, she represented it to be dark-coloured, 

 shrivelled, filmy, and lifeless. A second dose of the oil 

 did not expel any more of the worm, nor, when he last saw 

 her, about three months afterwards, had it again appeared. 

 In that interval she had not been disturbed by any of the 

 unpleasant feelings to which she was before subjected. 



Considerable derangement of the general health and great 

 pain in the pit of the stomach were produced by the tape- 

 worm, in the second case in which the oil of turpentine 

 was employed. Although one tea-spoonful only was in- 

 troduced, sickness and acute pain followed: this dose was 

 repeated several successive mornings, always with the same 

 immediate effects; but occasionally it was succeeded by 

 the expulsion of large portions of the worm. The worm 

 was represented to have the appearance before noticed. The 

 patient had sufficient resolution and confidence to continue 

 for some time the use of the medicine, and at length be- 

 came free, not only from any further appearance of taenia 

 in the stools, but iikewise from all those sensations which 

 had so long denoted its presence in the intestines. 



Case 



