50 OF THE PRINCIPAL WORMS 



lates((74) tlie case of a man who was tormented 

 for iQn years by the ascarides vermiciilares. 



§ XXXIX. The nature of the aliment which 

 supports this worm has been the subject of vari- 

 ous opinions. (i 75) But it has at length been 

 observed, that the mucous matter which lubricates 

 the intestines and the vagina of women, is the sub- 

 stance for which it has the strongest predilection. 

 Agreeably to this, it is not wonderful that we find 

 the ascaris vermicularis in other parts of the body, 

 in which the mucous fluid abounds, as those of the 

 bladder, stomach, oesophagus, etc. 



§ XL. Though Van-Phelsum{i7^) has treat- 

 ed at large of this worm, but Goeze has all the merit 

 of teaching us its internal structure. (177) 



This animal is very small ;( i7S) seen through 

 the microscope, it clearly appears that its obtuse ex- 

 tremity is its real head. 



It is furnished with two lateral oval protube- 

 rances, and divided in the middle, which is the 

 mouth. (I79) its body gradually enlarges one 

 third of its length from the head, and proceeding 

 toward the tail, it becomes more slender and deli- 

 cate, till it terminates in a cetaceous point. 



A small canal opens into the mouth, which by 

 dilating and contracting is connected with the stom- 

 ach and intestinal tube. The opening of this 

 canal is seen at that part of the body where it be- 

 gins to iliraiiiish, in order to terminate in a very 

 tine point, forming the tail. 



This point is considerable in the female ascaris 



