114 LECTURES. 



twitchings during sleep." In very severe cases 

 amaurosis, catalepsy, convulsions, erotomania, and 

 death by enteritis, or by perforation of the intestine, 

 have been known to occur. These parasites have 

 a remarkable tendency to grope about the intestinal 

 canal as if seeking a new habitat, and thus they not 

 unfrequently make their way into the various parts 

 of the body, having been found in the gall duct, the 

 cavity of the chest, the parietes of the abdomen, 

 and in various other strange situations. Many 

 instances are on record of their having been in this 

 way caught in a trap, since any foreign solid body, 

 with a suitable hole in it, and lodged in the intes- 

 tine, is sure to attract their attention. Thus they 

 have been strangled by metallic buttons, by hooks 

 and eyes, by an open topped thimble, and by other 

 foreign bodies accidentally, or even purposely, swal- 

 lowed by their human bearers. 



Though I cannot dwell at greater length upon 

 the symptoms and pathological effects produced by 

 the common ascaris, it is as well that the above 

 facts should be borne in mind. In various obscure 

 cases, where parasites are never dreamt of, you may 

 sometimes by this means discover the true cause of 

 what hitherto appeared to be an altogether mysterious 

 complaint. In cases of bleeding from the lower 

 bowel, or in hsematemesis and haematuria, always be 

 on the look out for the eggs of parasites. On the 

 other hand, be cautious how you accept the notion of 



