Feb. 18. 1918 Efficacy of Some Anthelmintics 419 



entirely normal in appearance. This puppy had 23 ascarids {B. mar- 

 ginata) and a few hookworms (^4. caninum) and whipworms (Trichuris 

 depressttiscula). The other dogs had varying numbers of ascarids, 

 hookworms, and whipworms. The treatment removed only 4 out of 67 

 ascarids and had no effect on the hookworms and whipworms present. 

 It should be stated in comment that the areca nut used was ground 14 

 months previous to the experiment and hence may have lost some of its 

 potency. This leaves open the question as to the efficacy of freshly 

 ground areca nut, but it appears from the experiment that areca nut 

 ground one year previously is not a very efficacious anthelmintic for 

 dogs, and may possibly cause serious digestive disturbances. While it is 

 not possible to determine whether the colitis noted in the dead dog 

 resulted from the drug, it should be stated that this puppy had been 

 weak and emaciated for some time previously and was in poor con- 

 dition to undergo anthelmintic treatment. 



For worms in poultry. — Areca nut is quite commonly prescribed 

 as a remedy for tapeworms in poultry. The following experiment was 

 made to test its efficacy against tapeworms and incidental nematode 

 parasites of the intestinal tract of chickens : 



One gm. of powdered areca nut was given to each of six chickens, 

 weighing about 453 gm. each, the dose being given in 4 mils of olive 

 oil. Prior to the experiment the birds were fasted for 24 hours. 



The total number of worms passed following the vermifuge were 20 

 Heterakis papulosa, which were passed by three of the six birds on the 

 first day, and some tapeworm segments, including at least one head 

 with these. On post-mortem examination large numbers of tapeworms 

 and H. papulosa were found, besides other nematodes, which, from 

 their location in the esophagus and proventriculus, would not be likely 

 to be affected by anthelmintics. Probably more tapeworms were 

 passed than were counted, since, when a small tapeworm head is 

 passed and then given an opportunity to dry, it is very difficult to 

 detect even by a careful examination of the feces. But at best the 

 drug seems to have had very little efficacy against H. papulosa or tape- 

 worms. 



The areca nut used in this experiment was ground at least four years 

 previously. This leaves open the question as to the efficacy of the 

 freshly ground product. If it is true that the drug loses its potency 

 after grinding, this constitutes a serious objection to its use in commercial 

 products, since it is unlikely that it will be freshly ground when purchased. 



santonin 



Santonin is the classic remedy for ascarids and forms the basis of 

 most of the worm remedies for children. It has also been widely used 

 and recommended in canine practice. As this drug is largely of Euro- 



