ASCARIDiE 237 



tail and skin. The tail is frequently agitated, and annoying habits of 

 "switching" and "line-hugging" may have origin from this source. 



In aggravated cases there may be loss of flesh due to the constant 

 irritation to which the animal is subjected. The anus becomes swollen, 

 flacid, and, on defecation, the mucous membrane is noticed to be a deep 

 red. 



The condition is readily diagnosed in observing the protruding or ex- 

 pelled worms. The sticky yellowish-colored deposit about the anus and 

 perineum, together with denudation of the skin and base of the tail 

 by rubbing, indicates the presence of the worms. 



Treatment. — Treatment is mainly per rectum. Previous to the ad- 

 ministration of vermifuge enemata the bowel should be emptied by an 

 injection of glycerin and water or of warm soapy water. As an expellant, 

 either of the following may be used : (1) Infusion of quassia, one to two 

 quarts; (2) infusion of tobacco, one ounce to one quart of water; (3) 

 vinegar in soapy water; (4) one quart of a one per cent, solution of 

 lysol; (5) one to two ounces of oil of turpentine shaken up in a quart of 

 lime water and linseed oil; (6) mercurial ointment repeatedly applied 

 to the borders of- the anal orifice is also of service. The injections are 

 best given through a rubber siphon. 



As developing worms from ingested eggs may be in the intestines too 

 far forward to be acted upon by the enemata, it is well to supplement 

 this treatment with the administration of a vermifuge as recommended 

 for the large ascarids of the small intestine. 



Treatment is to be repeated at intervals of four to six days until 

 indications of the presence of the worms have disappeared. 



The adhering deposit about the rectum and perineum should be 

 regularly removed and so disposed of that the contained eggs cannot 

 reinfect. 



AsCABip^E OF THE DoG AND CaT 



One species of ascarid is common in the dog and cat, although some 

 authors recognize two — Belascaris marginata of the dog, and B. mystax 

 of the cat. Other than being a little smaller, the ascarid of the cat 

 scarcely differs from that of the dog, and at the present time the ma- 

 jority of helminthologists consider the difference as one of variety only. 



A much less common species infesting dogs in this country is Tox- 

 ascaris limbata. 



Belascaris marginata (Ascaris marginata, A. mystax, Belascaris 

 mystax, B. cati). Ascaridse (p. 229). — The body is white, or reddish 

 white. The head is usually curved and is provided on each side with a 

 membranous wing, giving the appearance of an arrow-head (Fig. 123). 

 On the curved tail of the male there are two small membranous 

 lateral wings and twenty-six papillae on each side. The vulva of the 



