320 Veterinary Medicine. 



The worms are most frequent and abundant in young dogs, 

 from three or four weeks old to two or three months. Any age, 

 however, may suffer. Being so common they are liable to be 

 very numerous. 



Pathoge7iesis. Symptoms. When present only in small num- 

 bers in a mature, well-conditioned dog they are often of very little 

 account. When numerous or in the young or weak they may 

 produce the most varied symptoms, local and general. The 

 vomiting of glairy matter containing the worms is a common and 

 conclusive symptom. As in all irritations of the^small intestine 

 there is likely to be irregularity of the bowels, with at times a 

 transient or catarrhal diarrhoea. Among general symptoms are 

 to be noted itchy anus, unthrift, emaciation, dry scurfy coat, pot- 

 belly, variable appetite, colic, cdnstipation, epilepsy and disordered 

 intellection which has been confounded with rabies. There is, 

 however, rather taciturnity and snappishness than a disposition to 

 commit malicious mischief. When present in large numbers they 

 may cause severe indigestion, or they may even completely ob- 

 struct the intestine. 



Lesions. From the fact that ascarides live free in the contents 

 of the bowels and do not bite nor suck blood, extensive lesions are 

 not to be looked for. Yet catarrhal swelling of the mucosa of 

 the small intestine is not uncommon, and intense hsemorrhagic 

 enteritis may be met with, in which the mucosa is congested, 

 thickened by exudate and marked by small black spots, slough- 

 ing fissures on the folds and ulcers. 



Treatment. For young puppies and weak or emaciated dogs 

 areca nut is one of the best agents in the dose of ^ dr. to a two- 

 month's shepherd puppy. Benzine in doses of i J^ dr. is recom- 

 mended by Zurn. Santonin, 5 grs. in Y^ oz. castor oil is effective. 

 Male fern extract, 10 to 20 grs. alone or in combination with 

 santonin or areca nut may be used. For Ascaris Marginata, 

 which is always free in the contents, mostly of the duodenum the 

 vermifuges generally are effective, as they can be promptly 

 brought into intimate contact with the parasite, and as the latter 

 subsists on the chyme, it cannot choose but take in the deadly 

 drug. A main danger is that of the rejection of irritant or nause- 

 ating agents by the stomach, and hence the great value of areca 

 nut and other harmless agents. 



