WORMS. 177 



There is anotlier kind of worm found in the small intestines, 

 and sometimes in the large intestines also, which has seldom 

 been noticed by veterinary writers. These worms are flat, about 

 the eighth of an inch in width, and from one to three inches in 

 length. They have transverse ribs or lines, something like the 

 leech-worm, and adhere to the bowels by one of their extremities. 



A fourth kind of worm is found both in the small and large 

 intestines : they are round, like the teres, but slender, and about 

 one or two inches in length. They have been named, from 

 their form, the whip-worm. 



The fifth and last kind of worms are named ascarides. They 

 are found in the large intestines ; are very slender, or like 

 needles, and about one inch in length. Worms similar to these 

 have been found in the mesenteric artery, and in the windpipe. 



The symptoms of worms are, a rough, staring, harsh coat ; ir- 

 regular, or sometimes a craving, appetite; and often the appearance 

 of a white shining- substance at the anus : and when ascarides are 

 pi'esent, there is often an itching of the anus, and a disposition to 

 rulj the tail. 



The latter description is, I think, more injurious than any 

 others ; they are often found in immense numbers, firmly ad- 

 hering to the raucous coat of the large intestines, where they 

 produce considerable irritation ; and when they are known to be 

 present it is necessary to be cautious in the administration of 

 powerful stimulants or strong i)hysic with a view to their re- 

 moval, as fatal inflammation has, in many cases, been thereby 

 produced. 



The treatment most commonly adopted for the removal of 

 worms is to give one or two drachms of calomel, with a dose of 

 physic, or the calomel at night and a dose of physic in the 

 morning. Others prefer giving a drachm of calomel for three 

 successive nights previous to the physic. Oil of turpentine has, 

 within a few yeai's, been much used as a remedy for worms, and 

 appears to be the most powerful vermifuge we are acquainted 

 with. I have known it, however, in one instance cause the 

 death of the horse, by bringing on inflammation of the stomach. 

 This horse, however, had taken a dose of physic the day before, 

 Avhich was operating at the time the oil of turpentine was given. 

 In two other horses oil of turpentine caused alarming symptoms ; 

 but they soon got well again. JNIr. B. Clark gave four ounces 

 of oil of turpentine to a horse that was intended for the dogs, 

 and which a})peared to have worms. He says it caused con- 

 siderable uneasiness, the horse appearing as if he were griped. 

 The next morning only two or three worms were voided ; and as 

 no other eflfect was observed at the end of forty-eight hours, he 

 was destroyed. Living worms, he says, were found both in 

 the large and small intestines, and the mucous surface of the 



If 



