Infusorial Catarrh and Asthma. 11 



one of the many forms that are already described, — that inhabit 

 stagnant and running waters, — and under certain conditions, — 

 fermenting organic matter. The name Asthmatos ciliaris, 

 here suggested will however answer present purposes. The gene- 

 ric title is indicative of one form of disease it causes, when it 

 attacks the human system; while its specific name is suggested 

 from the cilia with which it is armed. The figures from 1 to 18, 

 represent the different forms and shaper the parasite assumes du- 

 ring the different phases of its existence. They are magnified 

 from 300 to 500 diameters. 



Fig. 18 represents the mode in which the parasite reproduces 

 and discharges its young. The young animal grows within the 

 parent cell and when mature is discharged at the posterior part 

 of the organism. In figs. 7, 8, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are seen the 

 young cell developing inside the parent cell. As the young is 

 discharged the parent cell contracts and becomes corrugated and 

 wrinkled and rough outside, as represented in Fig. 18. After the 

 young is discharged, the parent soon begins to assume a more 

 plump appearance, — the opening closes up, the wrinkled, shri- 

 velled condition passes away, the cilia become active and the 

 organism soon assumes the freshness, activity and vigor it had 

 previous to parturition. 



