120 



The following papers were read : — 



" Supplementary Notes on Hypoxis pusilla," by Professor 

 E. Tate. 



" A List of the recent EcMnoidea of South Australia," by 

 the same. 



"Additions to the Elora of South Australia/' and a "Diag- 

 nosis of a New Rhamnaceous plant," by Baron F. von Mueller 

 and Prof. Tate. 



" On Hydatid Disease in Australia," by Dr. J. Davies 

 Thomas. 



This paper was introductory to one in preparation by the 

 author on the " Statistics of Hydatid Disease in Australia," 

 and its publication is consequently postponed. On the black- 

 board, and with the aid of diagrams, he explained the nature 

 of the hydatid's operations. He pointed out the nature of the 

 ravages the parasite could commit in the human system, and 

 referred to the researches and experiments made b}^ scientists- 

 resulting in remarkable discoveries calculated to prove bene- 

 ficial to man. He expressed a hope that, seeing the spread of 

 hydatid disease in Australia, some comj^etent persons should 

 make most careful experiments, with a view to doing away 

 with any errors that might exist. Next to Iceland, Australia 

 showed more hydatid disease than any other place in the world. 

 He had experimented upon thirteen dogs, and six out of 

 the thirteen were infested with Tenia echinoccus. Considering 

 that many contain immense numbers of eggs, it was something 

 alarming. The tapeworm was twice as common among dogs in 

 Australia as in Iceland. The minute eggs of the pest were, no 

 doubt, taken into the human system through water drunk. 

 Sheep and oxen took in the minute ova with herbage or water ^ 

 and the seeds of the disease were sown. The gastric juice 

 softened the eggshell, and the movements of the stomach broke 

 the shell, releasing the embryo, which immediately bored its 

 way into the walls of the stomach. A^ery soon it met with a 

 blood-vessel, and thus found its way to the liver, where it 

 obtained a congenial location, and developed into a hydatid. 

 In concluding his paper the doctor intimated that on ajiother 

 occasion he would enlarge upon the subject, and would give the 

 statistics. 



