Diseases of the Ciradatory System, 183 



exhibits a difficulty in respiration, dulness, and oppressed 

 circulation, with great irregularity of the pulse, epileptic 

 fits, &c., while fever is entirely absent. 



Filaria sanguinolenta has a decided preference for 

 various tissues of the body as well as the large aortic 

 vessels, chiefly embedded in a mass of tumefaction, the 

 result of their movements. In this they remain some 

 time and bring forth their ova, which are subsequently 

 hatched, and escape in all possibility as the mature worm, 

 capable of propagating its species. 



The tendency of the parasite to bore into the sentient 

 structures gives rise to local irritation and the formation 

 of small tumours. These are sometimes present on the 

 surface or otherwise embedded within the deeper seated 

 layers. Aggregations of such tumours occurring in 

 various parts give rise to serious functional disturbance, 

 consonant with the nature and position of the organ 

 thus invaded.. Pleurisy also appears to have had its 

 origin in some cases by the escape of the worms from 

 the tumours in the substance of the gullet direct into 

 the cavity of the chest, where they have been found 

 crawling in the midst of recent tumefactions or adhesions 

 created by their presence. Paralysis of the hind limbs is 

 also seen, and is supposed to be the result of plugging of 

 the small blood-vessels of the spinal cord by ova escap- 

 ing by the aorta or chief artery. It is singular that the 

 brain does not appear to suffer, the tumours, it is said, 

 being seldom seen among the tissues in front of the 

 heart. Doubtless, however, as may be hereafter demon- 

 strated, other affections in various organs or viscera, as 

 the kidneys, intestines, &c., may be due to similar 

 causes. 



