Parasites of Muscular and Connective Tisstce. 441 



the embryos explains its parasitic nature. Tschulowski found as 

 many as three or four embryos in each drop of the liquid. 



The same author has found the embryos equally abundant in 

 the contents of the lymphatic vessels of the limbs, and in the peri- 

 vascular lymph spaces. This may explain the occurrence of cer- 

 tain cases of lymphangitis, as it may of lymphadenitis. That 

 these embryos reach the bloodvessels through the lymphatics is 

 inevitable, and the constancy with which the filaria, found in the 

 connective tissue, is in near proximity to the bloodvessels, strongly 

 suggests their distribution in the blood stream. 



When the worm in the connective tissue has caused the forma- 

 tion of a tumor, the latter assumes the form of a fibroma, of an 

 ovoid shape and from one to two inches in its long diameter. 

 The tumor is firm and resistant, being sometimes even calcified, 

 but on incising it there are exposed canals containing a yellowish 

 debris and a segment of the worm. These tumors are usually 

 situated to one .side of the perforatus tendon — inner, outer or pos- 

 terior, but also though less frequently on the line of the flexor 

 muscles in the forearm, or higher up, on the arm, shoulder, with- 

 ers or neck (on the side of the cervical ligaments). 



When present on the withers the condition may be readily mis- 

 taken for the infected lesion of fistulous withers. 



Prevention. In most localities the cases of Filaria Reticulata 

 are so rare that it appears unneces.sary to apply preventive mea- 

 sures. The experience at Kasan, however, shows how prevalent 

 and injurious the parasite may become in specially favorable con- 

 ditions, and enforces the need of the usual precautions against 

 the introduction of worms into the system. Water from deep, 

 well-cemented wells, closed against surface dust, from flowing 

 fountains having deep sources, or from cisterns, or the boiling, 

 or other sterilization of the water (kerosene, phenol, naphthalin), 

 would go far toward prevention, and the avoidance of infested, 

 damp pastures and fodders grown on damp lands would be further 

 suggested. 



Treatment. When a hard parasitic tumor has already formed 

 the proper resort is exci.sion. It might be possible by vermicide 

 injections to destroy the worm, but such a tumor would remain 

 as a source of permanent irritation. The excision of the tumor, 

 however, removes the worm as well, and leaves a simple healing 

 wound. 



