144 INTESTIXAL PARASITES. 



This lurnbricoid is the principal roun cl -worm found in dogs ; itresem- 

 bles the common earth-worm, and varies in length from two to six inches. 

 It is of a pale pink color, perfectly round in shaxoe, and tapers towards 

 each extremity. 



Round-worms inhabit the small Intestines, often migrating into the 

 stomach, from which they are expelled by vomiting; but more often they 

 seek the large intestine and pass out with the discharges. In rare instan- 

 ces they have been known to wander into the gall bladder and biliary 

 ducts, giving rise to abscess of the liver; even the panci-eatic duct has not 

 escaped invasion. 



That certain special conditions are required for the formation of round- 

 worms is evident from the fact that they are more common in puppies 

 and young dogs. As regards the nature of the conditions, little or noth- 

 ing is known ; mucus in abundance is supposed to be the repository of 

 the ova or eggs from which they are propagated. The female round- 

 worm is marvel ously productive. Eschright estimated in the body of the 

 female lurnbricoid found in the intestines of man, the number of eggs to 

 be sixty-four millions. These are discharged with the feces and retain 

 their vitality for many months. It is conjectured that ova are introduced 

 into the intestinal canal through the medium of the drinking water and 

 food. 



Symptoms denoting the existence of these or other worms within the 

 intestinal canal are in some instances obscure, in others prominent. At 

 times but little derangement is noted ; again profound disturbance results. 



The morbid effects of worms in dogs cannot be exaggerated; that they 

 may give rise to convulsions, chorea, paralysis, and other affections of 

 the nervous system is very generally conceded. 



The more common symptoms denoting worms are great abdominal dis- 

 tention or bloating, vastly disproportionate to the amount of food taken, 

 indigestion, colic pains, diarrhoea, vomiting, emaciation, voracious appe- 

 tite, nose hot and dry, cough, offensive odor to the breath, disturbed, 

 dreamy sleep, and a rough, dry, harsh coat. 



Frequently puppies and more rarely old dogs partially lose the power 

 of their hind legs, and rapidly recover as soon as a discharge of worms 

 occurs. Paralysis induced by this cause is functional and rarely if ever 

 complete. 



Treatment. — For the expulsion of the round-worm numberless drugs 

 have been advised. It must be remembered that natures and conditions 

 vaiy ; remedies which in some cases are effectual in others are inactive ; 

 for this reason, when there is presumptive evidence of the existence of 



