90 ENTOZOA FOUND IN MAN. 



the edges of the tongue is a pathognomonic charac- 

 teristic of the presence of lumbrici in the intestines. 

 The expulsion of the lumbrici or of their ova, either 

 with the dejections or by vomiting, is the only sign, 

 however, which can be regarded as decisive. 



The secondary affections which are produced by 

 lumbrici are, like those resulting from taenia, very 

 varied ; sometimes they are strongly marked, and 

 they then become serious, and even mortal This is 

 especially the case in countries where these worms 

 are endemic, and where they exercise a considerable 

 influence in modifying the characteristics of the other 

 disorders from which the natives suffer. Convulsive 

 attacks, speedily terminated by death, occasionally 

 occur, and these are so sudden and severe as to lead 

 to the suspicion of the administration of poison, until 

 a necropsy reveals the real cause. In the countries 

 referred to, lumbrici are so common that it is usual 

 to commence the treatment of almost every case of 

 acute disease by anthelmintics. 



A considerable diversity of opinion exists amongst 

 writers upon the subject of entozoa, as to the extent 

 of the anatomical lesions which may be caused by 

 lumbrici. According to some, great laceration of the 

 mucous membrane of the intestine, and hoemorrhage, 

 may result from the numerous and repeated bites of 

 these worms, but these extreme views are not sup- 

 ported by post-mortem appearances. The changes 

 which are observed after death do not generally 

 amount to more than increased vascularity of the 

 intestine, and diminished thickness of the mucous 

 membrane at various parts ; these changes are pro- 

 bably produced by the local irritation which is caused 



