INTESTINAL DI8T0MAT0SIS. 
The exact extent to which distomes in the intestine incommode a 
patient is not yet determined. It seems rather doubtful whether 
Ileterophyes is of much appreciable medical importance, although a 
heav}" infection should not be ignored. Fascioloi^sis^ 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 Gastrodiscus 
is yet to be established. 
In general, it may be said that the importance of intestinal as well 
as other flukes is a relative question. A few parasites ma}^ do little 
harm, still they actually must do some injury, even 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 blood infection with Schistosoma. 
Symptoms. — Still to be further determined; probably 
general symptoms of intestinal irritation. Indigestion, 
nausea, headache, diarrhea, and bloody stools have been 
observed. 
Treatment. — Favorable results have been obtained 
by Dobson witli thymol. Aloes, followed b}- castor oil, 
also aloes and asafetida, followed by scammoiny have 
failed (Cobbold’s cases). As the parasites are plathelminthes, I would 
suggest the use of same anthelmintics adopted for tapeworms. 
Family FASCIOLID.E. 
Fig. 63.—Fasciolop- 
sis buskii. Natu- 
ral size. (After 
Leuekart,1863, p. 
586, fig. 196.) 
Genus FASCIOLOPSIS Looss/^ 1899. 
Generic diagnosis. — Fasciolidte: Body rather large, flat, about one-third as broad 
as long, lanceolate to tongue-shaped. Cephalic cone wanting. Skin without spines. 
\"entral acetabulum larger than oral sucker and nearer anterior end. Intestine with 
short prepharynx, strong globular ])harynx, and exceedingly short esophagus; intes- 
Synonyms. — Fasciolopsis JjOosh, 1899; Fasciolopis Odhner, 1902 (misprint). 
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