SARCODINA 189 



nated drinking water is the most important factor in the 

 transmission of the ameba, but soiled food and objects, hand 

 to mouth transfer and flies are not to be ignored as probable 

 vectors of the parasite. The cells multiply in the small 

 intestine, pass downward, and penetrate the mucous mem- 

 brane of the colon, where in the deeper layers they set up the 

 inflammation largely by their presence, but also by some 

 soluble excretory substance. From here they may be carried 

 throughout the body, and give rise to abscesses, notably in 

 ,the liver. These are of long standing, and may present work 

 for surgical interference. 



FIG. 59. Entameba histolytica (Schaudirm) from the stool of a dysentry 

 patient. The same individual showing two successive movements. The 

 nucleus contains the nucleus and three red blood cells. Enlarged 500 to 1. 

 (After Jurgens, from Kisskalt and Hartmann.) 



The protozoa leave the body with the feces, which to be 

 disinfected must be well treated with carbolic acid or burned, 

 the procedure being continued until the feces are shown to be 

 free of the amebse. They should never be allowed to dry, 

 because the entameba may become more resistant in a dry 

 state, due to a curious spore-like stage. This disease is 

 diagnosticated by finding the parasites in the feces or pus, 

 which must be kept at a proper temperature during the 

 examination. Some of the material is examined on a warmed 

 plate and kept not lower than 77 F. all the time. At this 

 degree the peculiar movements of the amebse are noted as a 



