TAPEWORMS. 15 



of a prolonged consultation, that he had not passed 

 any portions of a worm (such as I described to 

 him). Indeed, I almost doubt if he ever had tape- 

 worm, though he appears to have had other entozoa. 

 Headache, restlessness, with strange abdominal 

 pains, were all ascribed to the presence of tape- 

 worm ; and it was in vain that I offered proofs of 

 the non-existence of the parasite. Under these 

 circumstances, I naturally recommended this hypo- 

 chondriacal subject to repair to one of our English 

 spas. Whilst enjoying the change, his general 

 health received considerable benefit ; but unfor- 

 tunately he still entertains the idea that he is in- 

 fested by a tapeworm. 



In most of these spurious cases, where the 

 symptoms have not been of very long duration, 

 though in the first instance clearly attributable to a 

 tapeworm, you will find no difficulty in relieving 

 the mind of the patient. It is particularly necessary, 

 however, that you should yourselves be utterly free 

 from doubt as to the true state of affairs. Some 

 patients will willingly undergo a fresh course of 

 treatment, even though you may have been able to 

 satisfy your own mind that such a step is unnecessary 

 and may have been at some pains to explain your 

 views. Here are several illustrative cases occurring 

 in my practice. ^ 



CASE IV. G. W. Gr., a gentleman, came direct 

 from California to consult me (July 13, 1869) 



