ENTOZOA IN THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 63 



The absence or appearance of functional disorders, 

 and their variable frequency or intensity, cannot be 

 explained simply by the different nature of the intes- 

 tinal worms ; the taenia, the bothriocephalus, the 

 ascaris lumbricoides, and the oxyuris, although very 

 dissimilar in their character, may give rise to almost 

 similar symptoms. The number, and the size of 

 these entozoa are doubtless not without some in- 

 fluence upon the pathological phenomena, and their 

 presence in the stomach is usually attended with 

 graver symptoms than are produced when they are 

 in the intestines ; but, beyond this, the severity of 

 the symptoms depends chiefly upon the constitutional 

 condition, and the degree of nervous susceptibility of 

 the individual who is affected, — females, as a rule, 

 suffering more than males. 



The following is a summary of the symptoms 

 which have been remarked by different observers ; 

 some of these a,re very common, and others have been 

 only rarely observed. 



The colour of the face is changed, sometimes 

 flushed, sometimes pale, and sometimes of a leaden 

 hue ; a bluish semicircle appears beneath the eyes, 

 wliich are less brilliant ; the lower eyelids are swollen, 

 the pupils are dilated, and the eyelids and conjunctivae 

 are sometimes of a yellowish hue ; the patient com- 

 plains of an intolerable itching about the nostrils, 

 occasional hemorrhage from the nose, and frequent 

 and severe headache ; the mouth is full of saliva, 

 and the breath is fetid ; there are grinding of the 

 teeth, disturbed sleep, somnambulism, fainting, giddi- 

 ness, and buzzing sounds in the ears; considerable 

 thirst ; a dry, spasmodic cough ; difficulty of breath- 



