46 



DISEASES DUE TO PROTOZOA 







Balantidium con. Parasites in a lymph space of the submucosa. (AftcrDopler.) 



Balantidiuin tninnttifii. P, Peristome ; A'', nucleus ; I\I, micro-nucleus ; V, vacuole. 



(After Schaudinn.) 



TREATMENT. 



Castor oil, salines, intestinal irrigation \\itli tannic acid or cjiiinine. 

 Emetine and ipecacuanha can be tried. 



Methylene blue has been recommended, rectal injections, and by 

 the mouth. 



(2) Laniblia intestinalis is probably pathogenic, attacking prin- 

 cipally the small intestine. It is common in India. 



The tissues are not invaded, but one may have a chronic recurrent 

 diarrhoea with abundant mucus, with bile or blood stains. There are 

 usually intervals of relief between attacks with constipation. 



The parasite, a split pear-shaped, double nucleated, protozoon with 

 a sucking disc, can be found in the diarrhoea excretions. 



The disease is chronic and may last thirty years. 



When searching for the parasite one should note the two flagella 

 at the (ail end. There are also three other pairs from the central 

 nuclei. There are two nuclei, one on either side of the longitudinal 

 dividing line; its aspect is not unlike that of a face. The parasite, 

 about 12 — 18 yu long, soon dies on leaving the body, but it is very 

 persistent in the host. 



Lamblia is a common parasite in rats and mice, in which it causes 

 an enteritis. These rodents probably form a reservoir of infection for 



