WO I IMS. 



585 



voided upwards of 200 in the course of a" week, and the case is recorded of a 

 soldier who passed 367 in six days. In another instance the patient got rid of 460 

 in a fortnight This, however, is quite exceptional The round-worm is met with 



all the world over, but is more common in some 

 countries than in others. In the Southern 

 States of North America it attacks almost every 

 one, young or old, and especially the negroes. In 

 the West India Islands, Brazil, Finland, Green- 

 land, in parts of Holland, Germany, and France, 

 it is also very common. The rural population 

 suffer more than the dwellers in towns, and the 

 inhabitants of low and damp localities more than 

 those who enjoy higher and drier abodes. The symptoms to which these worms 

 give rise are, as a rule, not very decided ; often enough there are no discoverable 

 symptoms. When large numbers occur in a person of delicate constitution they may 

 cause thirst, disturbed sleep, with grinding of the teeth, moroseness, with low spirits, 

 pallid countenance, fetid breath, swelling of the belly, shrunken limbs, depressed 

 appetite, slimy stools, itching of the nose, straining, and irritation of the back 

 passage. It must be understood that the occurrence of such marked symptoms is 

 exceptional. 



The indications for treatment are to relieve the irritation of the bowels when 

 present, to improve the general nutrition where that has suffered, but above all to 

 expel the worms. The best remedy for getting rid of the worm is santonine, the 

 active principle of wormseed. From two to four grains of the santonine, according 

 to age, are to be mixed with a tea-spoonful or more of castor oil, and taken early in 

 the morning before breakfast, repeating the dose two or three mornings successively. 

 Every stool should be examined for worms. As soon as the intruders are got rid 

 of, attention should be directed to the improvement of the general health. Iron 

 (Prs. 3 and 4), quinine (Pr. 9), and cod-liver oil are likely to prove of advantage. 

 Parrish's Chemical Food is useful. Plenty of out-door exercise, with, if possible, 

 change of air, is likely to do good. 



We cannot speak very confidently of the prevention of round-worm, because we 

 are not certain how it enters our bodies. Probably, however, the careful cooking of 

 all our food would prove a good safeguard, even in those countries and districts 

 where the pest most abounds. 



Tape-worm occurs most frequently where much pigs' flesh is consumed, and indi- 

 viduals who do not eat this meat are peculiarly exempt from the complaint. It is 

 frequently observed among those who in their occupations are in the habit of putting 

 knives used for cutting raw meat into their mouths ; also among those who indulge 

 in raw or very under-done meat. There can be no doubt that in this country tape- 

 worm is often communicated by eating raw or imperfectly cooked beef. We need 

 not enter into any detailed description of the tape-worm, for it is not likely to be 

 mistaken for rmy other kind. It may vary in length from a yard to twenty feet 

 The head is at the part that tapers to a point Usually small pieces or joints an 

 inch or so in length are passed in the motions. 



