SPIROPTERA RETICULATA. 645 



Avithin which an average number of striaj are contained, we 

 have a basis for measurement of the worm. We find that an 

 embryo has at least 400 markings. When grown into an adult 

 the markings must necessarily become more widely separated 

 from each other, and as the average number — 400 — must still 

 be the same if we measure the distance apart of any two striae 

 and multiply this measurement by 400 we roughly obtain an 

 average length of the adult w-orm. By some such measuiements 

 \» e find that an adult worm would measiu'e at least 36in. 



After we Kad so far proceeded with our investigations into the 

 life history of this parasite the last volume of the Transactions of 

 the Third Session of the Intercolonial Medical Congress, held in 

 Sydney last year, came to hand, wherein we noticed for the first 

 time that Dr. Gibson had investigated the same worm and had read 

 a paper upon the subject at the Congress, and illustrated his 

 remarks with drawings of the microscopical structure of the 

 worm and its ova and embrj-os. Although Dr. Gibson does not 

 think that it is communicable to man, by reason of experiments 

 that he made, yet its importance cannot be overlooked when the 

 statement is made that " 50 per cent, of the animals slaughtered 

 in Sydney" are found to be affected with these " worm nests." 

 Even if it be granted that this parasite cannot be transmitted directly 

 to man by the ingestion of the flesh of animals suffering from this 

 disease, it cannot surely be denied that when these tumors break 

 down into large suppurating masses the meat from such a diseased 

 animal must be quite unwholesome, and probably unfit for human 

 consumption. 



As a practical outcome of our investigations into this as well as 

 other diseases of animals used for food, we are of opinion that at 

 every abattoir most rigid inspection of animals at time of slaugliter 

 should take place and the viscera carefully examined, and if any 

 suspicious disease appeared the matter .should be referred to the 

 opinion of an expert pathologist for his decision as to the nature 

 of the disease. 



Note. — Since the paper and specimens were forwarded to Adelaide Mr. Park 

 liMs found in sections recentlj- obtained the young Spiroptera in some of the 

 blood-vessels. He is now satisfied that they are carried by the circulation and 

 deposited in all parts of the body, more especially the internal organs. 



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7.— DISPOSAl. OF TOWN REFUSE BY DESTRUCTION. 

 Btj J. A. HARDY. 



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