IMESTIXAL DI8T03IAT0SIS. 
The exact extent to which distomes in the intestine incommode a 
patient is not yet determined. It seems rather doubtful whether 
ireteroj>hi/es is of much appreciable medical importance, although a 
heavy infection should not be ignored. Fasciolopiiis. being much 
larger, is probably of more importance. Cobbold, for instance, records 
it for two cases where there were signs of intestinal irritation, such as 
repeated attacks of diarrhea. The medical importance of Gastroducus 
is yet to be established. 
In general, it may be said that the importance of intestinal as well 
as other hukes is a relative question. A few parasites may do little 
harm, still they actually must do some injury, CA^en if 
it amounts to simph^ taking food which should go to 
the host: an increased infection increases the amount of 
damage. 
Clinical diagnosis. — Microscopic examination of 
fresh stools for eggs; examine also the sputum and the 
urine in order to eliminate the lung infection with Para- 
gonimus and the Idood infection with ScJustosohici. 
Symptoms. — Still to be further determined: probably 
general symptoms of intestinal irritation. Indigestion, 
nausea, headache, diarrhea, and blood}' stools have been 
obseiwed. 
Treatment. — Favorable results haA’e been obtained 
by Dobson Avith thymol. Aloes, followed by castor oil, 
also aloes and asafetida, followed by scammony, haA'e 
failed (Cobbold's cases). As the parasites are plathelminthes, I would 
suggest the use of same anthelmintics adopted for tapeworms. 
Fig. 63. — Fasciolop- 
sis hiiskii. Natu- 
ral size. (After 
Leuckart, 1863, p. 
586, fig. 196.) 
Familv FASCIOLID.E. 
Genus FASCIOLOPSIS Looss/^ 1899. 
Generic diagnosis. — Fasciolidte: Body rather large, flat, about one-third as broad 
as long, lanceolate to tongue-shaped. Cephalic cone av anting. Skin without spines. 
Ventral acetabulum larger than oral sucker and nearer anterior end. Intestine with 
short prepharynx, strong globular pharynx, and exceedingly short esophagus; intes- 
Synonyms. — Frt.sc/o/op.s-i>Looss, 1899; Fasciolopis Odhner, 1902 (misprint). 
39 
