Diseases of the Circulatory System. 183 
exhibits a difficulty in respiration, dulness, and oppressed 
circulation, with great irregularity of the pulse, epileptic 
fits, &c., while fever is entirely absent. 
Filaria sanguinolenta has a decided preference for 
various tissues of the body as well as the large aortic 
vessels, chiefly embedded in a mass of tumefaction, the 
result of their movements. In this they remain some 
time and bring forth their ova, which are subsequently 
hatched, and escape in all possibility as the mature worm, 
capable of propagating, its species. 
The tendency of the parasite to bore into the sentient 
structures gives rise to local irritation and the formation 
of small tumours. These are sometimes present on the 
surface or otherwise embedded within the deeper seated 
layers. Aggregations of such tumours occurring in 
various parts give rise to serious functional disturbance, 
consonant with the nature and position of the organ 
thus invaded.. Péeurisy also appears to have had its 
origin in some cases by the escape of the worms from 
the tumours in the substance of the gullet direct into 
the cavity of the chest, where they have been found 
crawling in the midst of recent tumefactions or adhesions 
created by their presence. Paralysis of the hind limbs is 
also seen, and is supposed to be the result of plugging of 
the small blood-vessels of the spinal cord by ova escap- 
ing by the aorta or chief artery. It is singuiar that the 
brain does not appear to suffer, the tumours, it is said, 
being seldom seen among the tissues in front of the 
heart. Doubtless, however, as may be hereafter demon- 
strated, other affections in various organs or viscera, as 
the kidneys, intestines, &c., may be a to similar 
causes. 
