RATIONAL PROPHYLAXIS. 169 



of which thread-worms were often seen to be voided. It is, however, 

 doubtful whether these worms were directly concerned in the disease, 

 though it is in no way improbable that thread-worms should under 

 abnormal circumstances be introduced in extraordinary numbers. 1 



The foregoing discussion has shown us the ways and means 

 by which man becomes infested with intestinal worms or with 

 their larvae. It may also serve to anticipate a rational prophy- 

 laxis, or to suggest the lines along which this must be sought. The 

 first law of this prophylaxis is simply, shield yourself from even/ cir- 

 cumstance ly which parasites could le introduced; but the difficulty 

 of following this out in detail is as great as the law is short ; we can- 

 not protect ourselves against unknown and unseen foes such as we 

 have here to deal with. Helminthiasis will never disappear ; never- 

 theless a rational prophylaxis can limit its propagation and restrict its 

 distribution, and in so doing confer a great benefit on health and life. 



This prophylaxis depends above all things on cleanliness, especi- 

 ally in the kitchen and house. Eaw foods cannot be too carefully 

 inspected, whether they be of vegetable or animal nature. Flesh 

 must be kept away from the preparation of other food (bread) and from 

 the dishes and other vessels used. Cooking ought to be characterised 

 by due carefulness ; sausage and ham bought in small quantities from 

 the butcher ought to be subjected to close scrutiny. Still more should 

 flesh which is eaten raw be carefully examined. Water, and especially 

 drinking water, should be clear and pure. Dogs and other domestic 

 animals should be kept out of the kitchen and dining-room. Contact 

 with them should be as far as possible restricted, and should be at 

 once wholly suspended when they in any way show suspicious 

 symptoms of helminthiasis. The food of dogs and pigs should consist 

 preferably of cooked stuffs, and never (as in slaughter-houses and 

 skinning sheds) of the remains of slaughtered or of dead animals. 

 Rats, which infect the pigs with Trichina, ought to be kept away 

 from the styes. Excrement should be deposited in inaccessible places, 

 and any tape-worms present (especially Tcenia solium) removed as 

 speedily as possible. 



Precautions such as these should be taken against the worms pre- 

 valent in Europe. Other rules apply to the Epizoa, and especially 

 concern contact with other men, e.g., in the use of beds, linen, and 

 clothes. 



All this is in the first place applicable only to individuals and 

 families. When similar dangers threaten to affect the community, 



1 Gbze mentions (" Versuch. einer Naturgesch., u. s. w.," p. 23, note 2) the case of a 

 family in Brunswick, in which all the members, from father to child, and even the two 

 maids (two workmen alone excepted), were infected with Ascaris. 



