122 ENTOZOA FOITND TN MAN. 



a soft adherent coating, of a dark colour, and rough- 

 ened feel. As a result of this thickening, stricture 

 of the ureter occurs, and is followed by dilatation 

 above the contracted portion of the tube, and reten- 

 tion of urine. The kidney is usually swollen and 

 filled with blood; and is subject to fatty degeneration 

 after the disease has lasted for some time. Pyehtis, 

 and fan-like dilatation of the renal pelvis and cahces, 

 with atrophy of the substance of the kidney, some- 

 times supervene. The aggregation of the ova occa- 

 sionally serves as the nucleus of depositions of gravel, 

 and of calculi, consisting chiefly of Htliic acid. 



Changes of structure similar to those described in 

 the bladder take place when the intestinal mucous 

 membrane is affected by hoematozoa. 



The trunk of the portal vein is sometimes found to 

 be filled with mature distoma, and their ova are even 

 contained m the liver ; under such circumstances, 

 the texture of the liver is considerably altered, and 

 hepatic abscesses are formed. 



When there is hoematuria without any evident 

 cause, and when the general symptoms of an affection 

 of the bladder, or kidney, have attracted attention, 

 an examination of the urme, for the ova of the 

 distoma, will often afford certain proofs of the 

 existence or of the absence of these worms. 



Our present state of ignorance concerning the 

 manner in wliich hoematozoa are developed and 

 transmitted, does not admit of our ascertaining the 

 means of preventing their invasion. With respect 

 to the curative treatment which should be adopted, 

 little is known ; empyreumatic or fetid remedies, 

 such as turpentine and assafoetida, would most pro- 



