WORMS. " 125 



glued together ; the abdomen containing more or less turbid serum ; 

 perhaps ulceration of some part of the bowels ; the omentum thick, 

 red, and fleshy. 



Trealment. — -Occasional leechings, blisterings, frictions, and flan- 

 nel bandages to the abdomen ; or warm fomentations and poultices, 

 if the pain is very severe ; nourishing diet ; small doses of mercu- 

 rials, and mild laxatives and antacids. 



WORMS. 



There are three species of worms which most commonly in- 

 habit the intestinal canal — viz., the ascaris lumbricoides^ ascaris 

 verrnicularis^ and tcenia. 



The lumhriciis is a round worm, varying in length from four to 

 ten inches ; the tail ends in a blunt point ; the head is sharp, and set 

 between three oblong tubercles. 



The ascaris vermicularis is very thin, and does not exceed an 

 inch in length, but it is usually shorter ; the tail terminates in a fine 

 point. It inhabits the rectum. 



The tcE7tia is a very long, flat worm, articulated, and furnished 

 with four suckers at the head. Two species of tcenia are met with 

 in man. 



Worms very frequently exist in the intestinal canal without pro- 

 ducing any irritation or inconvenience whatever ; on other occasions, 

 however, they are attended with the following symptoms : — disgust 

 of food, or irregular appetite ; nausea, vomiting, griping pains in the 

 abdomen; tenesmus; disturbed sleep, irregular accessions of fever; 

 diarrhoea, with slimy stools ; foul breath ; headache ; dilatation of 

 the pupils; strabismus; and, in young children, cerebral disturbance, 

 or convulsions. Ascarides often produce a sensation of itching about 

 the anus, while the lumbricus occasions pain of a gnawing character 

 in the umbilical regions. The stools should be constantly inspected, 

 for the presence of the worm in them alone can render us certain of 

 the correctness of the diagnosis. 



Treatment. — The objects of treatment are, to destroy and expel 

 the parasitical animal. For this purpose various remedies, called 

 anthelmintics, are administered. Common purgatives will sometimes 

 suffice to expel the worms. Should these fail, we may employ the 

 dolichos pruriens, or turpentine. M. Raspail regards camphor as a 

 specific against ascarides ; and in France and Italy the root of the 

 pomegranate is employed with success in cases of tsenia. The con- 

 dition of the bowels should be carefully regulated, and all errors of 

 diet avoided, for worms are most frequently found in children who 

 are ill fed upon unwholesome and indigestible vegetable food. After 

 the complete evacuation of the parasitical animals, a course of 

 vegetable or mineral tonics has been recommended ; but wholesome 

 food, exercise, and a proper regimen, will be found the best means 



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