60 BUREAU OF ANlilAL INDUSTRY. 



the bot-fly grubs and lai'vtv. The intestinal worm most commonly seen 

 is known as Ascaris eqwrnun. They are white or reddish in color and 

 measure from -i to 12 inches in length. In thickness they vary from 

 the size of a r3^e straw to that of a lady's little finger, being thickest 

 at the middle and tapering at both ends. They are found singly- or in 

 groups or masses, and infest chiefly the small intestines. 



Of the smaller rovindworms, the more important are Strongylus 

 equinus, which lives in the large intestine and whose larva? l)urrow in 

 the walls of the great mesenteric arter}^, and the worms of the genus 

 OxyuHs^ which collect in and irritate the rectum. 



The tapeworms, once seen, are easily recognized. They are white, 

 flat, thin, broad, and jointed. The head is found at the smaller end of 

 the worm. Tapeworms of the horse sometimes measure from 20 to 30 

 feet in length. 



Symptoms. — Sj'mptoms of intestinal worms are not alwa3's observed, 

 even when many parasites are present. If the infestation is extreme, 

 there may be slight colick}" pains at times, or there may only be 

 switching of the tail, frequent passages of manure, and some slight 

 straining, itching of the anus, and rubbing of the tail or rump against 

 the stall or fences; the horse is in poor condition; does not shed his 

 coat; is hidebound and potbellied; the appetite is depraved, licking 

 the walls, biting the vv'ooden work of the stalls, licking parts of his 

 bod}', eating earth, and being particularly fond of salt; the bowels are 

 irregular, constipation or diarrhea being noticed. Some place much 

 dependence upon the symptom of itching of the upper lip, as shown 

 by the horse frequently turning it up and rubbing it upon the wall or 

 stalls. Others again declare that whenever we. see the adherence of a 

 dried whitish substance about the anus, worms are present. The one 

 sj'mptom, however, that wo should always look for, and certainly the 

 onl}' one that ir.ay not deceive us, is seeing the worms or their eggs 

 (by the use of a microscope) in the dung. 



Treatment. — Remedies to destroy intestinal worms arc much more ef- 

 ficient if given after a long fast, and then the worm medicine must be 

 supplemented by a physic to carry out the worms. Among the best 

 worm medicines ma}' be mentioned santonine, turpentine, tartar emetic, 

 creolin, infusion of tobacco, and l)itter tonics. To destro}^ tapeworms, 

 areca nut, malefern, and pumpkin seeds are the best. If a horse is 

 passing the long roundworms, the plan of treatment is to give twice 

 dail}' for three or four days a drench composed of turpentine or creolin 

 1 ounce and linseed oil 2 or 3 ounces, to be followed on the fourth day 

 by a physic of Barbados aloes 1 ounce, or one may give santonine 2 to 

 4 drams, with calomel 1 to 2 drams. This dose should not be repeated, 

 and should be followed in six hours by 1 quart of linseed oil. If the 

 pinworms are present (the ones that infest the large bowels), injections 

 into the rectum of infusions of tobacco, infusions of quassia chips, one- 



