PART III.] Nematoid Hcematozoa in the Circulation of Man. 617 



Unfortunately, after the observation had been made the man could not be found 

 so as to be questioned as to his past history, so that the pathological conditions which 

 might have been associated with this, the first recorded instance of the existence of 

 nematoid hsematozoa in man, must continue in obscurity. 



This observation was, however, followed by several others which have gone to show 

 that the presence of this particular helminth in the blood is very generally associated with 

 chyluria and with an allied affection known as lymph-scrotum or nsevoid elephantiasis. 

 The extent of this connection may, in some degree, be inferred from the circumstance that 

 whereas filarial may occasionally be observed in the blood of persons apparently free from 

 disease of any kind, they are, so far as my personal experience goes, invariably present 

 when either of these diseases exist. It must be recollected, however, that the search for 

 them sometimes involves very considerable labour. 



These parasites, or parasites very closely allied, have now been found in the blood of 

 man in many parts of the world. Dr. Prospero Sonsino,* in January 1874 (having no 

 knowledge of previous observations of a like character), found them in the person of a Jew- 

 lad at Cairo. They have been found in China by Dr. Patrick Manson f of Amoy, and 

 in Australia by Dr. Bancroft:}: of Brisbane. They have also been found in the blood 

 in Brazil ; and, within the last few weeks, in England, by Dr. Hoadley Gabb of 

 Hastings. § 



In considering the possible relation which may exist between the several parasites 

 which have been found in different latitudes, it will be well to bear in mind the history 

 of somewhat similar organisms in the circulation of dogs, a brief epitome of which has been 

 given above. There is another matter to be taken into consideration as regards the 

 identification of like parasites in man, — namely, their association with diseased conditions. 

 Are these conditions invariably of the same general character in all countries ? If so, 

 it would be sufficient to show that a distinct relation of some kind existed between the 

 disease and the parasite ; but if it be found, notwithstanding the existence of a general 

 correspondence between them, that nevertheless minor differences were more or less 

 constantly present, this would indicate either that some slight difference existed in the 

 parasite itself or that it bore no casual relation to the disease. 



It so happens that nematoid hsematozoa are found associated with a disease which, 

 whilst manifesting a close general resemblance in different countries, is nevertheless 

 characterised by a marked difference. In Asia, or at least in India, it is known by its 

 most characteristic appearance, viz.^ milky or chylous urine ; whereas in Africa and South 

 America it is described as the " haimaturia " of various localities, or as " hdmaturie chyleuse " 

 or " graisseuse," a term doubtless adopted on account of its being a more correct description 

 of the malady than chyluria. In India, however, although the term may be more or less 



* " Richerche intomo alia Bilharzia haematobia in relazione colla ematuria endemica dell' Egitto e nota 

 intorno ad un nematoideo trovato nel sangue umano." Naples, 1874. 

 t Op. cit. 



\ " On Urinary and Renal Diseases," by VV. Roberts, .^rd Edit:, 1876, p. .S42. 

 § Tilt. Laneet, June 22, 1878, }). 921. 



