257 



The same facts were observed by Goeze, who figures one 

 of these instances ; but according to him, the wound heals 

 and the fish does not suffer statements which were con- 

 firmed by Rudolphi." This happy result of course shows 

 that in some cases Nature is capable of effecting a complete 

 cure. In reference to what M. Duchamp has observed 

 respecting the vitality of tapeworms in decomposing flesh 

 I have seen much to confirm his record ; and, as I have 

 already stated in the pages of Land and Water, the 

 specimens of Tricznophorus (shown by me in this Exhi- 

 bition) were removed alive by Surgeon-General Day from 

 the stomach of a pike which had already been dead three 

 days, and which, moreover, had been soaking in spirit for 

 twenty-three hours! An old writer has, indeed, alleged 

 that tapeworms can resist the action of boiling water ; but 

 modern experiments have entirely disproved the truth of 

 a statement which can only have resulted from imperfect 

 observation. The supposition of Dr. Fock of Utrecht, that 

 persons obtain the broad tapeworm (Bothriocephalus} by 

 eating bleak (Leuciscus alburnus) is not confirmed. Never- 

 theless, the observations of the late Dr. Bertolus render it 

 more than probable that the Ligula nodosa infesting the 

 trout is the sexually immature condition of our human 

 Bothriocephalus latus. Professor Leuckart long ago pointed 

 to the Salmonidae as the probable source of the broad tape- 

 worm ; but the statement recently made to the effect that 

 pike or jack are a source of these parasites requires 

 confirmation.* 



Sometimes ligules infest the muscles in great numbers. 

 The following is a remarkable instance, and refers to the 



* See the new journal entitled 'Health,* for April 20, 1883, p. 17. 

 The statement is made on the authority of Dr. Braun. 



VOL. VI. C. S 



