Oct. io, 1913 
Cysticercus Ovis 
45 
the case of the latter, however, it is frequently possible by opening the 
cyst and squeezing out its contents to demonstrate the presence of a 
cysticercus or the visible and recognizable fragments of one. Sarcocystis 
cysts simulating degenerate C. ovis cysts are, so far as appears from our 
present knowledge, of rare occurrence, and consequently cysts occurring 
in the musculature of the size and general appearance of degenerate C. 
ovis are presumably C. ovis unless there is evidence to show that they are 
not, such as, for example, the discovery of Sarcocystis spores and the 
total absence of any cysticercus or remnant thereof. 
Illustrating the possibility of confusing encysted plant barbules with 
degenerate Cysticercus ovis cysts is a case recently observed in which 
there was a small nodule about 5 by 4 mm. in diameter in the diaphragm 
in the muscle tissue just beneath the serosa. This nodule consisted of a 
thin capsule and contents of a somewhat caseous consistency and might 
have been taken on casual observation for a small degenerate C. ovis 
cyst. Careful examination, however, failed to reveal any morphological 
evidence of a cysticercus, instead of which there were found in the midst 
of the caseous material three or four tiny barbules from some plant, very 
finely pointed and tapering and spirally coiled. These were scarcely 
evident to the unaided eye amid the caseous material, but their nature 
became quite apparent on microscopic examination. 
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION 
Abroad, cases of sheep measles have been found in England, France, 
Germany, Algeria, German Southwest Africa, and New Zealand. 
In this country relatively few of the numerous cases found at abattoirs 
have been traced to the point of origin of the infested sheep. Cases 
traced to the point of origin have been from Montana (10 counties 1 ), 
Idaho (5 counties 2 ), Washington (4 counties 3 ), Oregon (11 counties 4 ), 
California (3 counties 5 ), Colorado (1 county 6 ), and Nevada (middle and 
western part). 
The parasite is probably more or less generally distributed throughout 
the western United States, and is likely present also in the East, though 
as yet no cases have been definitely traced to eastern localities. It is 
probable that it will be found to occur wherever sheep are attended by 
dogs, particularly wherever dogs have frequent opportunities of devour¬ 
ing dead sheep. 
1 Rosebud, Yellowstone, Meagher, Cascade, Choteau, Hill, Blaine, Lewis and Clark, Teton, and Beaver¬ 
head Counties. 
* Fremont, Bonneville, Bingham, Washington, and Canyon Counties. 
3 Adams, Walla Walla, Yakima, and Klickitat Counties. 
4 Polk, Benton, Marion, Multnomah, Crook, Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, and Baker 
Counties. 
5 Modoc, Tehama, and Butte Counties. 
6 Conejos County. 
