[ 170 I 



lEmbr^o of a parasitic }£uto3oa from a 



Ibinnan Zootb, 



By Jabez Hogg, F.R.M.S., M.R.C.S., etc. 



QUITE lately, a medical friend requested me to examine and 

 report on an interesting microscopical specimen, which it 

 appears had " puzzled " him a good deal, and he was 

 therefore the more anxious to learn something of its natural 

 history. The " worm," as he termed it, was removed from the 

 tooth of a domestic servant, who had suffered some time from 

 toothache and neuralgic pains of the face. The removal of a 

 molar tooth afforded only temporary relief At the end of three or 

 four months, and on finding medical remedies of no avail, she met 

 with a gipsy, who recommended her ■' to smoke the worm out of 

 the tooth with henbane seeds." She obtained the seeds, and having 

 placed them, as directed, on hot cinders, allowed the fumes to 

 pass into her mouth. In a very short time, " six or eight worms 

 dropped out of her teeth into a tumbler of water." This for a 

 time seems to have afforded her relief, but as the pain again 

 returned, and for which remedies proved unavailing, my friend, 

 on one of his visits, induced her to use the henbane fumigation 

 in his presence. In a very short time, "a minute v/orm " wriggled 

 from the mouth, and was caught in a tumbler of water. This he 

 carried away with him, and on his return home put it up in a 

 temporary cell, which was sent to me for examination. I may 

 first say that, so far as I know, no [jrecisely similar case has 

 been well enough authenticated to be placed on record. 

 Accounts have appeared, and to the effect that violent attacks of 

 toothache have been traced to a " worm " lodged in the cavity of 

 a decayed tooth. Furthermore, it has been said that the 

 " worm " has been " smoked out," as in the instance related, by 

 henbane seeds. Such statements have hitherto been regarded 

 wiUi a good deal of incredulity by the medical profession. I 

 may mention, however, that I have met with two or three well- 

 authenticated cases of " worms " lodged in the nasal cavities, and 

 there producing alarming symptoms, which have subsided after 

 the worms were dislodged by tobacco smoke. 



