J. A. Innes and a. B. Campbell 51 



The details of the infected appendices are : 



No. of 0. verminilarU 



It is a matter of some importance to note the various sizes of worms 

 found, in connection with the degree of maturity attained by them. 

 The length of the female worm is given by authorities as from 9 to 12 mm. 

 and that of the male worm as from 2 to 5 mm. Out of the 121 Oxyuris 

 measured, no female worm exceeded 9 mm. in length, and only one 

 specimen gave that measurement. The average length of the female 

 was from 5 to 6 mm., and 3 mm. in the case of the male. 



Judged by size, the worms found in the appendix were not mature, 

 but the males had reached a further state of development, on an average, 

 than the females. 



Still (1909) discusses this point of immaturity, and holds that this 

 is a good reason for believing the appendix to act as a breeding ground 

 for Oxyuris. He doubts if infection is kept up solely by the repeated 

 swallowing of ova. 



Percentage of Infected Cases. 



The percentage of infection, viz., 17 % in all cases of appendicitis, 

 is undoubtedly lower than what it would be if the appendices had been 

 examined under conditions which excluded any possible source of error. 

 In spite of every means being taken to attain the greatest accuracy, it 



