OF THE ALOIENTARY TRACT 213 



in forty cases the stools of all were negative for bal- 

 antidia. Some of these cases examined two months 

 subsequently still showed none of the parasites. 



Greene and Scully (1913) recommend the follow- 

 ing treatment, to be continued until the patient is 

 free of the parasite. Two and one-half quarts of 

 whole milk per day, given in small portions at regu- 

 lar intervals, supplemented after several days by one 

 or two soft boiled eggs. Bismuth subnitrate in 15 

 grain doses for the first few days, to relieve cramps 

 and diarrhoea. When the bowels become sluggish 

 stewed fruits are given. 



It is to be hoped that some one or more of these 

 measures may stand the test of time. 



BALANTIDIUM MINUTUM 



Balantidium minutuvi was discovered by Schaud- 

 inn in 1899. He found it in two patients in Berlin, 

 both suffering from diarrhoea. Whether it is a patho- 

 genic species is unknown. 



The body of the organism is more nearly of a pear- 

 shape than is Balantidmvi coli, and it is smaller, 

 measuring 20 to 30 microns by 14 to 20. The an- 

 terior end is more pointed and the mouthpiece is 

 longer and relatively more prominent. The peri- 

 stomal groove extends from the anterior extremity 

 deeply into the body, to about the middle, and is lined 

 by long, delicate cilia. The surface cilia are longer 



