AMEBIC DYSENTERY 215 



their life. Other forms live in water, earth, decaying 

 matter, or as apparently harmless commensal species 

 within the intestinal tract of animals from insects up. 



SARCODINA. 



Amebic Dysentery. Amebic dysentery is a subacute 

 or chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine, 

 caused by the Entameba histolytica or dysenteric ameba. 

 It is not definitely settled as to the means by which 



FIG. 59. Entamceba histolytica (Schaudinn) from the stool of a 

 dysentery patient. The same individual showing two successive 

 movements. The nucleus contains the nucleus and three red blood 

 cells. Enlarged 500 to 1. After Jiirgens (from Kisskalt and 

 Hartmann.) 



this protozoon is transmitted, but water is probably the 

 most important method. The cells multiply in the small 

 intestine, pass downward, and penetrate the mucous 

 membr'ane of the colon. Here 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 



