CHAP, VI. INTESTINAL WORMS. 219 



rough powder, not unlike tobacco leaves dried and 

 crumbled very small. 



(231.) Another instance of the injuries resulting 

 from these dangerous worms deserves quotation, as it 

 affords us, in other respects, some highly valuable in- 

 formation. " M. Dobsonville was attacked by one in 

 his leg. He observed its head, to the naked eye, was 

 of a chestnut colour, and appeared to terminate in a 

 little black point. On slightly pressing it with a pin, 

 and examining it with a common magnifying glass, he 

 fancied he perceived something like a little trunk, or 

 tongue, capable of being pushed out and contracted. 

 Although the body was not thicker than a strong thread, 

 yet, when the animal was extracted, it was found to be 

 of the length of two or three ells. It appeared to be 

 formed of a series of small rings, united to each other 

 by an exceedingly fine membrane, and a single intestine 

 extending through the body. This worm was ex- 

 tracted in the usual way ; and the reason he gives for 

 the injury done by breaking these animals is, that they 

 are full of a whitish acrimonious fluid, which imme- 

 diately excites inflammation, and not unfrequently pro- 

 duces an abscess or gangrene. A worm in his leg was 

 twice broken, and twice occasioned an abscess. At 

 last, at his own request, the part affected was rubbed 

 with a preparation of mercury; and, in eight or ten 

 days, not only the body of the insect came away in 

 suppuration, but the wound, which had been more than 

 three inches long, and considerably inflamed, was in 

 this time almost entirely healed." * 



(232.) Besides the internal enemies we have now 

 mentioned, there are others, which either habitually 

 or occasionally introduce their eggs into our bodies, 

 and feed upon our juices, in their larva or grub state. 

 There are several remarkable and well-authenticated 

 instances of this upon record ; otherwise we should be 

 tempted to discredit the stories of old writers, because 

 it seems unnatural that any insect, whose habit is not 



* Bing. Anim. Biog. 



