TRICHOMONAS 



119 



cyt 



part of the large intestine and coecum, often multiplying in 

 prodigious numbers. Trichomonas also lives in the vagina and 

 in the urinary tract, being quite often found in vaginal discharges, 

 especially in cases of leucorrhea. It has been commonly believed 

 that the vaginal parasite, which is larger than that of the intestine, 

 is a distinct species, and it has been given the name T. vaginalis, 

 but there is reason for believing that it is identical with the in- 

 testinal parasite. Other intestinal parasites are sometimes 

 found in the urinary tract. This or a closely allied species is also 

 occasionally found in the mouth, 

 about the tartar of the teeth. Ac- 

 cording to Goodey the mouth form 

 differs from the intestinal form to 

 a sufficient extent to warrant its 

 being given a distinct name, at least 

 provisionally, and he proposes the 

 name Trichomonas ( Tetratrichomo- 

 nas) buccalis. 



Trichomonas hominis (Fig. 30) 

 is a pear-shaped flagellate averaging 

 about eight to 15 /z (^Air to r^ of 

 an inch) in length, the size being in- 

 versely proportional to the rapidity 

 of multiplication. Typically it has 

 three vigorously moving anterior 

 flagella arising from the blunt an- 

 terior end, and a fourth wavy one FlQ - 30 - Trichomonas 



n., nucleus; cyt., cytostome; axo., 

 Which turns backward and IS at- axostyle; par. b., parabasal body 



tached to the side of the body by ^^^j^^^^^* 9 ^ 



an undulating membrane. Some 



investigators however, record four free flagella and others five. 

 On this basis new species and genera have been created but, as 

 pointed out by Faust, it is more probable that all of them may be 

 included under a single species, with races among which the 

 number of flagella may vary, but within any one of which it tends 

 to remain constant, usually either three or four. Goodey de- 

 scribes the mouth form of the parasite as having four flagella. 

 Along the line of attachment of the undulating membrane to the 

 body is a structure which takes a deep stain, called the chro- 

 matic basal rod or " costa." It is believed by some workers to 



axo. 



