212 ENTOZOA FOUND £N MAN. 



areolar tissue, when it is distinguishable both to the 

 sight and the touch, and resembles a sma,ll cord, 

 extending spirally beneath the integument of the 

 affected part; in some few instances it is occasionally 

 deeply • situated amongst the muscles. When the 

 parasite is very long, both ends of it are evident 

 beneath the skin at some distance from each other, 

 whilst the central portion of the worm dips down 

 into the deep-seated structures. 



It exists in the human body for a considerable 

 period, probably of not less than two months, without 

 giving any indication of its presence ; for it does not, 

 contrary to what might be expected, give rise to any 

 marked symptoms until its embryos are formed. The 

 earhest sign by which the presence of a filaria is 

 manifested is usually an unpleasant feeling of irrita- 

 tion in the part of the limb which is occupied by the 

 worm ; and a tumour, wliich assumes the appearance 

 of a boil, is shortly afterwards formed in the same 

 situation. In some cases, the formation of the tumour 

 is preceded by general indisposition, by pains in the 

 head or stomach, and by nausea and vomiting. 

 When the Guinea-worm is situated in parts which 

 are almost destitute of soft tissues, as in the toes, or 

 near the joints, for example, it produces acute pain ; 

 but when it is deeply seated amongst the muscles, it 

 gives rise to a painless swelling, which may last for 

 several weeks, or even months. In all instances, 

 when the tumour is about to burst, the pain becomes 

 intense, the constitution sympathises with the local 

 disorder, the part is much inflamed, and the tumoiu- 

 is eventually converted into an abscess, which fur- 

 nishes a means of exit for a portion of the entozoon. 



