INTESTINAL PARASITES 140 



In summarizing, it is advised that all facts be weighed carefully, and 

 every effort made to positively determine the existence or non-existence 

 of tape-worm; then if in doubt, give the animal the benefit of it and admin- 

 ister worm remedies. 



Treatment. — A cure of tape-worm can only be complete when the head 

 is expelled. After treatment has been employed the discharges should be 

 carefully examined to positively determine if it has been successful. By 

 a careful use of water the solid constituents can be washed away and the 

 worm exposed. If the head is not found or escapes observation, the ques- 

 tion of complete cure must remain undecided for two or three months, 

 during which period the discharges from the intestinal canal should be 

 occasionally examined for segments. If at the end of that time none have 

 been detected, it may be concluded the cure is perfect, as had the head 

 been retained the worm would have again reached maturity. 



It is judicious to employ preparatory treatment before an actual cure is 

 attempted. 



The object is to empty thereby the intestinal canal, so that the worm 

 may be detached and expelled more quickly. The animal if matured 

 should be denied solid food for twenty-four hours, being allowed only a 

 very little milk or broth, and a dose of castor oil ought to be administered 

 the day previous to the giving of the vermifuge. A stronger purgative is 

 not judicious as it is liable to disjoint the worm and the remaining at- 

 tached portion will be with greater difficulty expelled. 



Among the most active agents destructive of tape-worm are areca nut, 

 turpentine, koosso, male fern, kamala, and santonine. 



Areca nut, or betel nut as it is called, can be given with perfect safety. 

 It should be obtained in the solid form and the darker colored selected as 

 being much stronger than the lighter. It should only be reduced to a pow- 

 der by grating just before required for use. The dose is one drachm, and 

 is better given in the form of a large pill or bolus incorporated with lard. 



The manner of giving turpentine and santonine has already been de- 

 scribed in the treatment of round-worms. 



Koosso operates exclusively as a poison on the tape-worm and seems 

 equally as effectual in all varieties. The dose is two drachms and before 

 administration should be mixed with a cup of warm water and allowed 

 to stand for fifteen minutes. 



Male fern was very much used by the ancients as a vermifuge. Its espec- 

 ial efficacy is in the treatment of tape-worm, upon which it acts as a 

 poison. 



The medicine may be given in the form of a powder, but the etherial 

 extract ( oil of fern ) is to be preferred. The dose of the latter is from ten 

 to fifteen drops and should be given well beaten into a raw egg. The 



