1896.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 275 



filariasis and will, therefore, confine myself to the statement that 

 there is no drug that will kill the adult parasite, and that even if 

 such a drug were known it would be wisest to refrain from its em- 

 ployment. When the adult worm has its seat in one of the extrem- 

 ities and dies, an abscess usually results; or it is perhaps more 

 correct to say that adult Filarise have been found in such abscesses, the 

 presumption being that the latter are caused by the former. If, 

 however, the adult Filaria dies in the thoracic duct, with consequent 

 abscess, the result would be of necessity fatal. The only treat- 

 ment worthy of the name is prophylaxis. Filaria nodurna being 

 introduced into the system through the medium of drinking water, 

 it is of vital consequence, in the countries in which filariasis is 

 endemic, to secure a pure water supply by filtration or other means. 

 As Manson remarks^ ; '* the ultimate disappearance of the filarial 

 diseases is entirely a matter of personal and municipal education" — 

 in other words of " civilization .... and if any municipal 

 or other body is in want of one more argument for a pure water sup- 

 ply, here is one ready made to their hands." 



^ Davidson's Hygiene and Diseases of Warm Climates. 



