380 . PARASITES OF ANIMALS 



he found the small intestine literally crammed, some thousands 

 of worms being huddled together in large masses. 



The next nematode of general interest is the pinworm 

 (Oxyuris curvula). Professional men often confound it with 

 the palisade worm, and it has even been mistaken for the rat- 

 tail maggot (Helophilus) . The longest males measure If", 

 and the females often beyond 4 inches. This worm infests the 

 colon in great numbers, the species being easily recognised by 

 its long subulate tail. Like its much smaller congener infest- 

 ing man, this worm occasions severe local irritation, clusters of 

 the eggs often accumulating to form yellow incrustations at the 



FIG. 65. Head of Oryur'u curvula. Highly magnified. After Bask. 



verge of the anus. Equine pin worms are vegetable feeders, 

 and, like human Oxyurides, are conveyed to the bearer in a 

 direct manner. No horse properly looked after can be infested 

 by these worms. Local washings and stable cleanliness being 

 secured by an attentive groom, the animals are safe. Prophy- 

 lactic measures of this kind are all-powerful against infection. 

 Notwithstanding the ease, however, with which the oxyuris 

 disorder may both be prevented and cured, we find it prevails 

 extensively everywhere, alike in mankind and in solipeds. Dr 

 Sonsino found these parasites abundant in Egypt, some of 

 the worms reaching a length of nearly five inches (120 mm.). 

 Mr Emmerson has given an interesting account of the prejudicial 

 effects of these entozoa in the horses of Singapore. 



One of the most remarkable equine parasites is that which I 

 am in the habit of calling the large-mouthed maw- worm (Spi- 

 roptera megastoma], in centra-distinction to the small-mouthed 

 species (8. microstoma). In this country the worm has 

 attracted little notice, but through the kindness of Mr Spooner 



