ASCARID^ 239 



their small intestine. The}' frequently enter the stomach and cause 

 vomiting, the expelled material often containing several worms. Other- 

 wise the S}iiiptoms are much hke those caused by the presence of tape- 

 worms. There is emaciation, enlarged abdomen, and irregular appetite. 

 There may be diarrhea or constipation, and, finall}', epileptiform or 

 rabiform seizures. B^^ massing in the small intestine, they may induce 

 invagination and fatal obstruction to the alimentary matter. 



Necropsies upon dogs which have died from ascariasis reveal the 

 lesions of an intense hemorrhagic enteritis, with tumified mucosa, show- 

 ing small ulcerative points and involvement of the submucous tunics. 



Treatment. — (1) Powdered areca nut, two grains to each pound of 

 bod^'-weight, ma^' be given shaken up in a little milk. (2) Santonin is 

 one of the most frequently used remedies. The dosage should be care- 

 fully graded, giving one-eighth of a grain per pound of body-weight, the 

 dose in no case to exceed three grains. It ma}' be administered sus- 

 pended in milk or combined with one-fourth to two grains of calomel, 

 made into a pill. (3) Fifteen minims to one dram of oleoresin of as- 

 pidium, singly or combined with a grain of areca nut, per pound of body- 

 weight, may be given in capsule. (4) Benzene, in fifteen drop to one 

 dram doses in oil, has been recommended. 



The anthelmintic should be administered in the morning after a 

 twelve hours' fast. If the bowels are not ah'eady freely active, it is 

 well to follow the remedy a few hours later with a purgative of castor 

 oil or syrup of buckthorn. Care should be taken in the administration 

 of these drugs to to}' puppies. Santonin, especially, should not be given 

 until they are at least eight weeks old; under that age, a simple laxative 

 will often bring away quite a number of the worms. 



If vomiting occurs after giving the medicine, allow an interval of 

 two or three days before repeating; then precede by a stomach sedative 

 of bismuth or a small dose of cocaine. 



Occurrence in the Cat. — Ascariasis of the cat does not sufficiently 

 differ from that of the dog to merit a special description. As in the dog, 

 the worms are more likely to infest young animals, though cats seem 

 to bear the invasion better. 



Remedies recommended for the dog will serve as well for the cat, 

 though the peculiar intolerance of these animals should be taken into 

 consideration in the selection and dosage. (1) Cusso, fifteen to thirty 

 grains, is relativel}- safe, but is likeh' to cause vomiting. (2) Oleoresin 

 of aspidium, minims fifteen to twenty, may be given in milk. 



ASCARID.E OF THE HoG AND ShEEP 



Ascaris lumbricoides (A. suis, A. suum, A. ovis). Fig. 125. 



Ascaridse (p. 229). — The head has three strong lips, the lateral sides of 



