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A CURIOUS CASE OF VETERINARY CLINIC PRACTICE. 



BY 



M. M. Prates, M.D., 



Diicctur of ilic Bacteriological Laboratory), Ho6piial Miguel 

 Bouibarda, Lourcnco Marques, 



AND 



S. Pinto, 

 Medical Veterinarian to the Province of Mozambique. 



Read July 11, 1922. 



Abstract. 



An account .was given of a small dog which, when only six 

 weeks old, showed marked jDliysical discomfort, and was found 

 to be infected with the tapeworm, Dipylidiuin caninuin. Treat- 

 ment by male fern and scammonia resulted in the expulsion per 

 anum of more proglottides of the worm, but the scolex was not 

 expelled. On the reappearance of symptoms, the treatment was 

 repeated, with similar results. Two relapses occurred subse- 

 quently, and a fifth relapse was accompanied by other systemic 

 disturbances, attributed to the worm infestation, but no worm 

 jDroglottides were expelled after adininistration of the vermifuge. 

 The dog's suffering increased, and a painful spot, changing in 

 position, was localised by iDalpation, and a smaJl, soft, painful 

 tumour developed in the left flank. This was operated on, and 

 a deep abscess reaching to the peritoneum, and with adhesions, 

 was evacuated, irrigated with Dakin's solution, and dressed. 

 When the dressing was removed) a metaj wire was discovered, 

 that proved on extraction to be a sewing needle with thread 

 attached. Evidently it had been swallowed, and in its passage 

 through the alimentary tract had caused localised pain, and in its 

 passage across the abdominal viscera to the flank had carried 

 bacteria from the intestine or had acted as an inoculating needle 

 for the same. After discharge of pus had ceased, the surfaces of 

 the wound were scraped and the edges stitched, rapid healing 

 I'esulting. Complete recovery ensued, but the tapeworm, origin- 

 ally thought to be the primary cause of the trouble, has reappeared 

 again. 



As helminthiasis is usually associated with depraved appetite, 

 the swallowing of the needle by the puppy is not surprising. 



An interesting feature was that of the occurrence of Dipy- 

 lidium caninum, 76 centimetres long, in a puppy only six weeks 

 (lid, and the resistance of the Cestode to treatment. 



