778 EHINOSPORIDIUM 



organism as a Protozoon belonging to the Haplosporidia, but Asbwortb 

 has shown conclusively that it is a vegetable parasite allied to the fungi. 

 The organism produces nasal polypi in man (Fig. 335), and has also been 

 seen in polypi of the conjunctiva, lacrimal sac, and ear, in a papilloma of 

 the penis, and in the uvula. According to Ashworth (1923), who has given 

 a complete account of the organism, the younger forms are spherical 

 bodies about 6 microns in diameter embedded in the cytoplasm of con- 

 nective tissue cells. Each has a capsule enclosing a mass of cytoplasm with 

 a single nucleus and a number of deeply-staining granules of reserve food 

 material (Fig. 336, i). Growth takes place, nuclear multiplication by 

 mitosis occurs, and the cytoplasm becomes charged with numerous food 

 granules. Eventually, the central cytoplasm segments into uninucleate 

 masses, and this process spreads towards the periphery of the cyst till the 

 contents are completely divided. Multiplication by fission of the separate 

 masses may occur. Eventually, each separate mass becomes enclosed in a 

 membrane. Meanwhile, the parent cyst, which now has a diameter of 

 250 to 300 microns, develops a thick lining composed of cellulose and a 

 definite pore forms at one point. Through this pore the daughter cysts 

 are discharged to spread the infection to neighbouring tissues Each 

 daughter cyst is taken u'p by a mononuclear cell and commences to grow. 

 The infection, which is of a very chronic type, has been recorded from 

 India, Cochin-China, Ceylon, Argentina, and North America. 



Zschokke (1913) described R. equi from the nasal septum of a horse 

 in South Africa. According to Hartmann (1921), Frey and Hartmann 

 arrived at conclusions regarding the nature and development of the 

 organism similar to those put forward by Ashworth for R. seeberi. That 

 there is any specific difference between the human and equine form seems 

 doubtful. 



END OF VOL. T. 



