296 PARASITES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



strongyles. The body is thick, cyhndrical, and has a mottled appear- 

 ance, due to the intestine and reproductive organs showing through 

 the semi-transparent integument. Both extremities are somewhat 

 blunted ; the mouth terminal with six small teeth. The bursa of the male 

 is formed of five tongue-like parts united by a membrane; there is but 

 one spicule. The obtuse caudal extremity of the female is curved; 

 vulva near the middle of the body. 



The length of the female is 30-40 mm. (1 3/16-1 9/16 inch); male, 

 22-30 mm. (7/8-1 3/16 inch). 



Parasitic in fat surrounding abdominal viscera, especially that of the 

 sublumbar region in the vicinit}'^ of the kidneys. 



The kidney-worm is found in hogs of the United States — especially 

 those of the South — and in South America, the species being first dis- 

 covered in Brazil. Its presence may cause the formation of cysts up 

 to the size of a pigeon's egg in the adipose tissue, these on incision usually 

 revealing one or two of the worms and a small amount of pus. Rarely 

 the worms penetrate the capsule of the kidney or enter the suprarenals. 

 Indurated fistulous tracts, liver lesions, and peritoneal effusion have 

 been observed as a result of the presence of these parasites, though it 

 may be said of them that they rarely cause perceptible disturbance 

 unless in unusual locations in the abdominal cavity. 



Due to their location, treatment can be of no value. 



FAMILY VI. EUSTRONGYLID^ 



EUSTRONGYLOSIS 



This is a condition produced by a giant nematode, — Dioctophyme 

 renale (D. visceralis; Eustrongylus visceralis; Eu. gigas), which is some- 

 times met with in the kidney and peritoneal cavity of dogs and other 

 domestic animals. It has also been reported in man. 



Dioctophyme renale (Nematoda, p. 217) is of somewhat uncertain 

 position among the nematodes. It has been commonly placed with the 

 family Strongylidse, but it does not conform to all of the characteristics 

 of this family. Neveu-Lemaire describes the genus Eustrongylus under 

 the separate family Eustrongylidse. 



The worm is the largest of all the nematodes, the female attaining 

 a length of one meter (39 inches) and a thickness of a centimeter (3/8 

 of an inch); the males a length of forty centimeters (15 inches). The 

 body is blood-red in color, somewhat thinner toward the anterior ex- 

 tremity than posteriorly. The bursa of the male is collar-like, entire, 

 and without rays. Within its base is located the anus. There is a single 

 slender spicule (Fig. 159). The tail of the female is obtuse. There is a 

 single ovary; vulva near the mouth. 



