59 



hygienic, is least open to objection, since it does nothing which 

 can injure the patient, as do some of the drugs already referred 

 to. It consists in endeavouring to support, and maintain, 

 the patient's strength, until nature has worked a cure. With 

 this view an appropriate diet is ordered, and tonic medicines 

 are given, whilst most scrupulous care is taken to prevent re- 

 infection. And if, by means of perfect cleanliness and hygienic 

 conditions, re-infection can be absolutely prevented, so that 

 no more ova are swallowed, the existing generation of parasites 

 dies out, and the patient is freed from his trouble, without 

 taking anthelmintic drugs. 



Drawbacks of Expectant Treatment. 



As can easily be seen, such expectant treatment is a very 

 lengthy process ; and it is not difficult to understand why it 

 is rarely resorted to. Indeed, it calls for a good deal of moral 

 courage on the part of the medical adviser ; for few patients 

 are content simply to stand by, and let nature and time cure 

 the disease. Moreover, the necessary absolute cleanliness is 

 often difficult to enforce, especially in children ; and a single 

 lapse may, and probably will, entail a repetition of the whole 

 wearisome process. 



XII. THE SIMPLIFIED TREATMENT, AND A FEW 

 TYPICAL CASES. 



I have already briefly described my method of treatment 

 at the beginning of this book, but a certain amount of repeti- 

 tion may be needed to make it perfectly clear. My first 

 object in dealing with this extremely prevalent helminthiasis 

 is to destroy the parasite. This I achieve by means of a 

 highly diluted tincture, w r hich I have found to be a true 

 specific against Oxyuris Vermicularis. 



Effect of Drug on Oxyuris Vermicularis. 



The first effect of the drug is to relieve the troublesome 

 symptoms, particularly the uneasiness in the bowels, and the 

 irritation about the anus. Next, dead threadworms are to be 



