I770 



HELMINTH INFECTIONS 



it is safer, and can be used several days in succession. We use it 

 often in children and debilitated adults. We have not seen the 

 alarming symptoms described by some authorities as occurring in 

 children and debilitated subjects. vSome physicians prefer euca- 

 lyptol instead of the oil of eucalyptus. The difference is that 

 eucalyptol is that portion which passes over between 347° to 

 351° F. when the oil is being distilled from the leaves. 



Chenopodium Oil. — The International Health Board of the Rockfeller 

 Foundation in 191 7 stated that this oil was the most effective remedy for the 

 treatment of ascaris, oxyuvis, and tvichiuris, but that its utility for the treat- 

 ment of ankylostomiasis was conflicting, and, further, that it produced at 

 times alarming symptoms and even death. 



It is either used alone or with oil of eucalyptus in the proportion of three 

 parts of chenopodium to one part of eucalyptus. The method of administra- 

 tion is to forbid all solid food after midday, to give a purge of Epsom salts at 

 4 p.m., and then at 6 p.m. the first dose of sugar containing chenopodium; 

 this is continued at hourly or two-hourly intervals until the full dose has been 

 taken, and finally, two hours after the last dose, more than i ounce of Epsom 

 salts is taken by an adult and repeated if necessary in another two hours. 



The dosage of oil of chenopodium is as follows : — 



1-2 years of age . . . . . . 2 minims for three doses. 



3-5 3-5 



6-10 . . . . . . 6-9 



11-16 ,, .. 10-13 



17-50 „ 14-16 



Over 50 ,, ,, .. .. .. 12-14 >' 



It can be given on sugar or in gelatine capsules. The Epsom salts administered 

 are in a solution of 5 pounds in 5 gallons of water, 4 drachms being given to a 

 child one to five years of age, 8 drachms to one of six to ten years, 12 drachms 

 to one of eleven to fifteen years, 16 drachms to one of sixteen to twenty years, 

 and 24 drachms above that age. Castor oil may be given instead of salts, 

 2 drachms for a child of one to three years, 3-5 drachms for a child of four 

 to eight years, 6-10 drachms for nine to sixteen years, and above sixteen 

 years 8-16 drachms, while ij ounces is considered to be the maximum for a 

 female. 



No alcohol or acids are to be ingested for a period of twelve hours antecedent 

 to and after the treatment. Pregnant women should not be treated in this way. 



Treatment should be repeated after ten days, and one week after the second 

 course the faeces should be examined microscopically to see whether further 

 medication is necessary, and if so it should be repeated at ten days' intervals 

 according to the microscopical findings. 



Beta-naphthol, finely powdered, can be given in cachets in 15 to 20 grain 

 doses, administered in the same manner as thymol — viz., one cachet every 

 two hours for two or three times, with the same precautions as with thymol. 

 The patients often complain of severe burning of the stomach after taking them. 

 The drug should never be given to individuals suffering from diseases of the 

 kidneys, as it may cause fatal ha^morrhagic nephritis. 



In debilitated patients beta-naphthol may be given in 5-grain pills made 

 up with pulvis tragacanthae composita and syrup. One to three pills, according 

 to age, should be administered early in the morning on six successive days. 

 No preliminary preparation is necessary. The results, however, as regards 

 the destruction of the parasites, are not brilliant. 



Nicol recommends : — • 



Beta-naphthol (finely powdered) . . . . 3^'^- 

 Mucilaginis tragacanthae . , . . . . §i. 

 Aquae menthae piperitae . . . . . . ad g vi. 



