OF THE ALIMENTARY TRACT 155 



we would all probably come to be hosts before reach- 

 ing old age. 



Diet and the intestinal flora may have much to do 

 not only with the number of the parasites in the in- 

 testine but with its gaining foothold and its survival. 

 Hegner (1923) found that a vegetable diet would in- 

 crease and a carniverous diet would decrease the fla- 

 gellates in rats. Ratcliffe (1928) found that this 

 effect of high protein diets is for the most part due 

 to the influence on the multiplication of proteolytic 

 anaerobes in the rat's intestine. The most effective 

 protein was casein, and beefsteak to a lesser degree. 



An exclusive or largely milk diet, either whole 

 milk or bacillus acidophilus milk cultures, is with- 

 out effect and the latter may be contraindicated. 



It would seem that intravenous medication is not 

 to be recommended except, possibly, as an experi- 

 mental measure. 



It would be well to give trial to such drugs as 

 stovarsol, which may be administered by mouth, 

 accompanied by a diet largely or almost exclusively 

 of such meat as beef muscle or at least of high pro- 

 tein content, for a period calculated to develop a 

 high content of proteolytic flora in the intestine. 



Escomel (1913 and 1917) claims to cure infection 

 of intestine or vagina with Trichomonas by the use of 

 turpentine, in the intestinal infection using the drug 

 by mouth and by enema. He gives a tablespoonful 

 of the following mixture every two hours for three 

 days: oil of turpentine, 2-4 gms., camphorated tine- 



