102 A PARASITIC SCOURGE OF WARM CLIMATES. 



when swallowed, have been observed to develop in the intestine 

 into mature worms. From damp earth to muddy water is not 

 a far step ; and in these two we may look for our source of 

 danger. In Europe it has been observed that those most 

 frequently affected are those who are continually handling 

 earth, more particularly brick-makers, those engaged in mining 

 and tunnelling, and agriculturists. In one family which I 

 know of, I was inclined to attribute the infection to drinkmg 

 the water of a stagnant waterhole situated not far fi'om the 

 house. It is obvious that infected individuals, by distributing 

 the eggs, will carry the parasite from one locality to another. 



The rules for the prevention of this serious malady may be 

 formulated under three heads : — 



(1.) Cleanliness in eatitig — To eat with unwashen hands is 

 dangerous, particularly to all who work on the soil in country 

 districts. Children addicted to earth-eating must be broken off 

 the habit at any cost ; nothing but constant watchfulness will 

 do this. In an infested district the habit, if unchecked, will 

 almost certainly lead to early death. 



(2.) Carefulness as to diinking-water. — Water in iron tanks 

 above ground is not likely to become infected. Underground 

 tanks and waterholes may harbour the parasite. If the water 

 supply is doubtful, any simple form of filtration would probably 

 render the water harmless as regards anchylostoma. Boiling the 

 water is a certain preventive. 



(3.) The treatment of affected individuals. — The parasite 

 can be effectually expelled by suitable medical treatment. Every 

 individual harbouring the parasite is a source of danger to 

 others, and should be cured for their sake as well as his own. 



COMPAEATIVE GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY OF THE 

 YbOIJM AND YAGGARA LANGUAGES. 



By JOSEPH LAUTERER, M.D. 



{Bead before the Royal Society of Queensland, December 14, 1895.] 



