TAPEWORMS. 23 



in threadworm, and almost a specific in round worm, 

 it by no means follows that the same drug is effec- 

 tive, or even of the slightest value, in tapeworm. 

 When so many excellent tapeworm vermifuges 

 abound, it becomes a waste of time to dwell on the 

 virtues of second- and third-rate drugs, such as 

 oxide of silver, tin, scammony, jalap, and various 

 other drastic purgatives which exert no poisonous 

 influence upon the worm." Dr. Shapter, of Exeter, 

 has employed chloroform with success; at least, 

 speaking of one or more cases thus treated, he says, 

 " The cure was effectual, and without distress of 

 any kind." Now, supposing it were really necessary 

 to try several drugs in succession, I would recom- 

 mend their adoption separately in the order I have 

 just placed them. Of course in no individual case 

 will you ever be called upon to indulge in such a 

 practice. Without asserting their actual relative 

 value as tapeworm poisons, I give them a preference 

 in the order in which they are here recorded. Pro- 

 bably, as I have elsewhere said, there is no better 

 remedy for tapeworm than oil of turpentine, and 

 yet its nauseous character, combined with the 

 fact that it not unfrequently produces irregular 

 and violent effects upon the nervous system, 

 are circumstances always inducing me to sub- 

 stitute other drugs. From cases which have 

 come tinder my notice I have no doubt what- 

 ever as to the great anthelmintic virtues of tur- 



