404 DOGS USED FOR SPORT. 



worm inhabits the small intestine, and is frequently found therein 

 in considerable numbers. 



Bothriocephalus cordatus : This tape worm is found only in 

 dogs which inhabit arctic countries, hence does not demand our 

 consideration. 



Bothriocephalus latus : This species will be found in only im- 

 ported animals, and is by far the most serious parasite we have 

 to deal with, besides being the largest. It attains a length of 

 from five to eight metres, sixteen to twenty-four feet, and is neces- 

 sarily oftentimes repeatedly doubled upon itself. The head is 

 almond shaped, and about two millimetres long, and one broad. 

 The flat surfaces of the head correspond to those of the body. 

 Along each side of the head runs a fissure-like pit in which its 

 suction apparatus is placed. When fresh the worm has a dull 

 bluish grey color. 



The mode of development is unknown. It is supposed that B. 

 latus exists during its immediate stage of development in some 

 aquatic animal, which acts as its temporary host. This is but a 

 mere deduction drawn from the experiments of Abildgard, who 

 proved that a kindred species, B. solidiis, which occurs in the ab- 

 domen of fishes, only becomes developed into a tape worm after 

 its host has been devoured by some animal, in the intestines ot 

 which it becomes developed. Tcem'a solum and T. saginata so 

 common to the human race, are unknown to canines, except as 

 artificially propagated in them for the purpose of experiment. 



No anatomical change has ever been found that could be said 

 to be caused by tapeworm, except that T. elUptica (cucumerina) 

 lies in tunnel-like spaces in the intestine, formed by the flattening 

 out and adhesion of the villi. Dogs are frequently inhabited for 

 years by tape worm without their ever giving rise to the slightest 

 unpleasant feeling ; and we sometimes have our attention acci- 

 dentally drawn to their presence in animals which are thriving 

 most satisfactorily, by the expulsion of segments of the worm. 



In general, however, the animal that plays the host to one of 

 these parasites, presents symptoms of more or less disturbance of 

 digestion and nutrition ; and even abnormal phenomena in the 

 nervous system, occur without our being in the least able to local- 

 ize the trouble. The sufferer gives evidence of various unpleasant 



