THENIA.* 345, 
If the appetite of a dog is voracious and he seems strong and in apparently 
good health yet poor in flesh, and does not gain under good management and 
generous feeding, the presence of a tape-worm may rightly be suspected, and 
a vermifuge given even if segments are not found in the intestinal discharges. 
It may also be accepted as safe to administer the same, considering the preva- 
lence of tape-worms, when dogs manifest vague and ill-defined symptoms, or, 
in other words, appear generally out-of-sorts, and the cause of the trouble 
cannot be determined; because if properly chosen a worm-destroying drug 
could not do any harm even did it fail to do good. 
But while tape-worms do not betray their presence by positive and unmis- 
’ takable signs, now and then, besides the indications already mentioned, they 
sometimes give rise to constipation, — which is quite significant if it alternates 
with diarrhcea,— to salivation or very profuse flow of saliva, poor appetite, 
followed in time by a voracious appetite, dulness and disinclination to make 
much exertion, absence of buoyancy of spirit, and a disposition to snap and 
snarl, seeming weakness, itching of the nose and outlet of the bowel, and sleep 
evidently disturbed by bad dreams. All these may be induced by tape-worms. 
A falling off in the coat is also a common consequence; it losing its natural 
softness and lustre, and becoming dry, rough, and staring. 
Considering the nature of eczema and the conditions which favor its de- 
velopment, it is easy to believe that in a dog harboring a tape-worm this disease 
is especially liable to occur as a complication; and if so, it is sure to prove 
very obstinate until the parasite is expelled. Vomiting shortly after eating is 
a sign of worms of some significance when associated with other symptoms; 
so, too, is an unusual thirst. 
In young puppies the effects of worms on the nervous system are most pro- 
nounced, and frequently complete loss of power in the hind legs is due to their 
presence. Less often, but still cases are by no means rare, in mature dogs 
paralysis of those parts is caused by tape-worms. Convulsive attacks also 
occur in consequence of them, with about the same relative frequency. 
A cure of tape-worm can only be complete when the head is expelled, for 
as long as that remains the worm will continue to grow; therefore, after treat- 
ment has been administered, the discharges ought to be closely examined in 
the following manner: Carefully remove the intestinal discharges from the 
floor and drop them into a basinful of water. Gently shake the same to sepa- 
rate the worm from the waste matters; then allow it to stand for ten or fifteen 
minutes, during which the worm should sink to the bottom. Next pour off as 
much of the supernatant liquid as possible, refill the basin with water, and 
repeat this process again and again, until the solid constituents have all been 
dissolved and washed away, and the water remaining is nearly colorless. 
Then possibly, if present, the head will be found. 
Let it be remembered that not often is it larger than the head of an ordinary 
