ASCARIS MARGINATA. 329 
round and other worms are, at least at times, positively poisonous. Nor is this 
theory lacking support. Those who handle worms in the laboratory frequently 
suffer from various eruptions, also inflammations of the eyes, ears, nasal pas- 
sages, throat, etc. And it is assumed that these disturbances are sometimes 
caused by an irritating vapor emitted from the bodies of the parasites when 
cut into pieces, and sometimes by direct contact of the worm-juices with the 
parts afterward affected. There is a case of a child on record in which the 
sight became seriously impaired, and yet complete recovery at once followed 
the expulsion of several worms by means of santonin. 
Fluids expressed from round-worms inhabiting the horse and pig, when 
injected subcutaneously into guinea-pigs, have caused convulsive movements 
or real convulsions and death; and death by suffocation, accompanied by con- 
vulsions, is known to have occurred in a surgeon within twenty minutes after 
he had punctured an hydatid cyst. 
It is easy, therefore, to believe that, instead of being merely nervous and 
reflex, the symptoms occasioned by worms are often really due to the absorp- 
tion of fluids from them, the same perhaps being harmless at times, but be- 
coming poisonous under certain conditions, and then capable even of causing 
death. 
Returning to the symptoms generally occasioned by round-worms, seldom 
are any noted in mature dogs which point very plainly to them. In some in- 
stances there is constipation, but diarrhea is the rule; and the same may 
obstinately persist until the worms are expelled, but oftener attacks of it come 
and go, each lasting not over two or three days. The discharges are slimy, as 
in puppies, and have a rather peculiar odor, which has been termed wormy ; 
and although generally blood-stained, they may be of grayish color. 
The appetite is often variable, being at times wholly lost, then indifferent, 
and again insatiable. But notwithstanding food in abundance is consumed, the 
blood is poor, as indicated by pale gums and lips; there is loss of flesh; the 
coat, rough and staring, often emits a greasy, sour odor, especially if the vic- 
tim is a bitch in whelp; and occasionally the hair falls out in patches of con- 
siderable size. Eczema is also a frequent complication; and it is quite sure 
to resist all treatment applied to it direct until the worms have been expelled. 
If this disease does not set in, the skin usually loses its natural softness and 
elasticity, and becomes of darker color and covered with fine, dry scales or 
dandruff. 
Mature dogs may suffer from paralysis of the hind legs as a result of worms; 
such cases, however, are not very common with them, but are confined largely 
to puppies. Hot nose, some fever at times, offensive odor to the breath, husky 
cough, disturbed, dreamy sleep, and twitchings during the same, are also quite 
frequent symptoms; while convulsions occur in a small proportion of cases. 
Abdominal distention, or bloating, so constant in puppies, is rather less 
