TREATMENT OF INTESTINAL ENTOZOA. 109 



varies according to the species of worm, the part of 

 the LQtestine which it inhabits, and the age and state 

 of health of the individual who is affected. 



The medicines which are used as anthelmintics 

 act either as specific poisons to the parasites, or else 

 as excitants of the secretions and of the movements 

 of the intestines, by which the entozoa are expelled. 

 All anthelmintics act generally upon several of the 

 species of intestinal worms, but some possess a more 

 marked effect upon particular species. 



In the majority of cases these remedies are 

 administered by the mouth ; they are thus readily 

 brought into contact with the entozoa which exist 

 accidentally in the stomach, and with those which 

 inhabit the small intestines and even the caecum. 

 Vermifuges ha.ve, however, a better effect if admi- 

 nistered in the form of enema when the worms exist 

 in the lower portion of the large intestine. 



].n the cases of very young children, and of those 

 who, in consequence of some visceral affection, cannot 

 tolerate anthelmintics when given internally, it will 

 sometimes be found beneficial to apply them exter- 

 nally, either in the form of fomentations, or of 

 ointments, or of baths. Santonine, tansy, absinth, 

 and camphor are amongst the chief medicaments 

 which may be used m this manner. 



In extreme cases, as a last resource, the medicine 

 has been injected into the veins. Dr. Davaine quotes 

 an interesting case, under the care of Dr. Meplain, in 

 illustration of this peculiar method of treatment.^ 



^ A young woman, of twenty years of age, after some pre- 

 monitory symptoms, fell into the following state : — There was 

 complete immobility, the eyes were fixed, the pupils contracted, 



