CHANGES IN THE INTESTINAL MUCOUS MEMBRANE. 225 



Lieberkiihnian glands are not unfrequently filled with them, and some- 

 times swollen out to double their normal diameter. ^ The surrounding 

 tissue is then infiltrated and inflamed, and sometimes degenerates in 

 small but distinct ulcers. To all appearance this is especially common 

 in rabbits, where (according to Eeincke) the glands of the caecum 

 and of the vermiform appendix very frequently undergo similar 

 alteration.^ 



It is obvious that the changes wrought by these intestinal Coccidia 

 — destruction of the epithelium, swelling, and inflammation of the 

 sub-mucosa, ulceration, &c. — cannot be without derangement of 

 function, and in this connection numerous differences in the extent 

 and intensity of the disease will be observed. Dyspepsia, loss of 

 appetite, imperfect nutrition, colic, looseness of the bowels, are the 

 most constant attendant symptoms. ^ In rabbits and mice these are 

 often so aggravated that death ensues. 



As to the phenomena caused by the parasitism of Coccidia in man, 

 nothing really is known, since few instances only have yet been observed. 

 With the exception of Kjellberg and Virchow,^ Eimer is the only 

 one who mentions the subject. He reports^ how, in the Pathologica,! 

 Institute at Berlin, he had twice seen bodies in which the intestine 

 was " filled " with Psorospermice similar to those occurring in animals. 

 " In both cases the epithelium of the intestine was for the most part 

 destroyed and riddled by the Psorosperms," just as Eimer had also 

 observed in mice which had died of Gregarinosis.^ Unfortunately, 

 neither a history of the illness nor an authentic report on the post 

 mortem examination could be procured ; and only this was ascertained, 

 that one of the two men had belonged to the ward for the insane. 



As regards the infection, what I have said of the hepatic Coccidia 

 must hold good here, with this alteration, that it might be brought 

 about by dogs and cats as well as by rabbits. 



' Lieberkuhn erroneously regarded these glands filled witli Coccidia as Psorosperm- 

 tUbes, and therefore, ■with apparent justice, identified the Coccidia as true Psorosperms. — 

 " Evolution des Gr^garines, " loc. cit. , p. 29. 



- Reincke reports finding the young stages of these parasites even in the mesenteric 

 glands : — " In glandulis mesentericis et in mesenterio secundum vasorum tractum noduli 

 subflavi inveniebantur, quos psorosperniia priorum evolutionis graduum impleverant. " 

 Loc. cit, p. 1. 



' Eivolta found the " Cellule oviforme " frequently in the intestinal villi of dogs which 

 had been killed on suspicion of madness — " Studifatti nel cabinetto di anatom. pathol. di 

 Pisa," p. 42, 1877. I have, hovrever, doubts whether this were a case of true Coccidia. 



* Virchow's Archiv f. pathol. Anat., Bd. xviii., p. 523, 18 . 



^ Loc. cit., p. 16. 



° " In many parts the intestine contained scarcely anything but epithelial cells, 

 "Psorosperms," or cells, and when these had fallen out from the hardened cross-sections 

 of the intestine, I saw that the wall looked as if small holes had been punched in it, or as 

 if it had been eaten through-!^ ^— Eimer, loc. cit., p. 1 3i. -^ 



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