18 



PARASITES OF MAN 



either side, the width of the animal becomes gradually narrowed 

 towards the extremities; both ends are pointed, but the inferior 

 or caudal one more obtusely than the anterior or oral end ; the 

 general surface is smooth throughout, 

 and unarmed ; the reproductive orifices 

 are placed in the central line imme- 

 diately in front of the ventral sucker, 

 and below the point at which the in- 

 testine bifurcates ; the oral sucker is 

 nearly terminal, and ^" in breadth, the 

 ventral acetabulum being about the same 

 diameter ; the testes form two lobed 

 organs placed one in front of the other 

 in the middle line of the body and 

 directly below the ventral sucker; the 

 uterine canal is remarkably long, form- 

 ing a series of tolerably regular folds, 

 which occupy the central and hinder 

 parts of the body, reaching almost to 

 the caudal extremity. The vitelligene 

 glands cover a limited space, on either 

 side of the centre of the body near the 

 margin. The foramen caudate commu- 

 nicates with a contractile vesicle, which 

 passes upwards in the form of a central 

 trunk-vessel, early dividing into two 

 main branches ; these latter reach as far 

 forwards as the oesophageal bulb, oppo- 

 site which organ they suddenly curve 

 upon themselves, retracing their course 

 for a considerable distance backwards ; 

 the digestive canals are slightly widened 

 towards their lower ends, which occupy 

 a line nearly corresponding with the 

 commencement of the lower fifth of the 

 body; the ova are conspicuous within 

 the uterine folds, which present a dark brownish color in 

 front, passing to a pale yellow color below. 



In reference to Kichner's remarkable case I reproduce an 

 abstract of it from Leuckart's account (' Die menschlichen 

 Parasiten/ Bd. i, s. 608), the original particulars of which were 

 communicated to Leuckart by Dr Kichner himself : 



FIG. 1. The lancet-shaped fluke 

 (Distoma lanceolatvm), showing 

 the disposition of the digestive 

 and reproductive organs inter- 

 nally. Viewed from behind ; mag. 

 about 12 diameters. After Blan- 

 chard. 



