SOS i:i»Ai;i> OK .\(;i;i<Ti/iri;K, 



Soiiicliiiifs ilic liyd.ilifl is licidlcss Mini cKiisciiiiciil ly sici-ilt'. Tliis <-(»li<li- 

 tiiiii is ('.illcd A(('i»lil<>( ysl. .iiid (loos not rcincsciil tiic liiiiil l.iival stMRC. 



Tlie chiuifrcs in tlio tissues vary. There may he an enorinoiis increase 

 ill tlie size (if the liniys or liver. Tl»e serous niemhraiie whicli covers the 

 liver is tliickened and may l»e Joiiiefl to the iiei.niilioriii.u oij;aiis. Its sur- 

 face is iiii('\('ii. the salii'iil iilaces coii csiioiidiiiii- to a cyst. There is an 

 atrophy of liir liver cells, the amount of connective tissue is increased and 

 forms a c;i|isidc immediately siirronndiiit;' tlie parasite; the surface of the 

 capsule whicli is smooth and lilisteniny is entirely separated from tlie 

 cuticle of the cyst. On section the liver is found In lie tilled willi cavities, 

 with the liver tissue between in the form ol small .inlands (W ribbons of 

 various dimensions. In time the cysts degenerate into a caseous or jiela- 

 tinous mass in which we find the hooks of the larval ta]»e worm. 



Method of Infection. — The hydatids develop as a result of the inges- 

 tion of the eggs of the adult tapeworm. Dogs infested with the adult 

 Avorm may scatter the eggs in jilaces where they can infect the food or 

 drinking water of the hog. In coiuitries wlu-re dogs are numerous hogs 

 seem to be more connnonly infected. Hogs in the region of slaughter 

 houses Avliere insufficient attention is paid to the destruction of the im- 

 mature form. l)ecome infected by eating the disease tissues. 



Symptoms. -The symptoms are not characteristic and frequently are 

 entirely absent. When the liver contains a large nnniber of cj'sts, pressure 

 ou the right side of the abdomen just over the organ may cause the animal 

 pain. On jiercussion we find an increase in tlie size of th(> liver. If the 

 increase in size is many times the normal, tin; abdominal viscera are 

 greatly pressed on, the function of the organ is greatly interfered with 

 and digestive disturbances occur. When the lungs are involved, symptoms 

 of pulmonary tuberculosis may be manifested. If any important organ 

 is severely infested, death may result. 



Treatment. — Preventive treatment is of the utmost imiiortance. It 

 consists in destroying all organs infected Avith hydatids. Dogs known to 

 be infested Avith the adult taenias should b(> destroycMl. It is dangerous 

 to keep dogs in this condition, as man as avcU as ])igs may become infected 

 from them. If such precautions Avere used the dis(>ase could be tinally 

 exterminated. This disea.se is apparently ou the increase in this country. 



The Livei- Fluke. —The common liver fluke, fasciola hepatica. is nior(> 

 common in cattle and sheep than it is in lious. Liver Hnks are api>arently 

 of little importance in hogs in this count ly. Tlicy m.-iy affect other organs 

 besides the liver, l)ut it is the chief abode (tf the iiarasite. This parasite 

 is generally found in Ioav lands and is more ]irev:ilent on wet than on dry 

 years. 



Description.— Fasciola hepatica, L. Body: i)ale brown, leaf like, tiat- 

 tened. 18-15 mm. long by 4-13 mm. broad. The anterior o-4 mm. forms a 

 rather thick. coni(\al portion Avhich is foUoAved by a large flat, leaf like 

 bodv of elongate, oval form. This latter widens rajiidly to the ma.Kimum 



