Examining Feces for Parasites and 
Parasite Eggs 
T HE diagnosis of parasitic infestation of the stomach and in¬ 
testines, and to some extent infestation of the liver, respiratory 
tract and some other portions of the body, is largely based on 
miscroscopic, and to a lesser extent on macroscopic, examination of the 
feces. These diagnosis are, for the most part, quite positive and de¬ 
pendable and are not difficult to make. They call for the use of a 
microscope, a somewhat expensive piece of apparatus, but the present 
day veterinary practitioner who is using modern laboratory methods 
needs a microscope as an essential part of his equipment for a large 
amount of work other than diagnosing parasitic infestations. Aside 
from a microscope, slides and cover glasses, very little apparatus is 
necessary for examining feces for evidences of parasitism, though 
if one has much work of this sort to do, a slight increase in the amount 
of apparatus and a somewhat more elaborate technic will save time, 
nervous energy and eyestrain. 
Materials Sometimes Deceptive 
It is a common thing for the owners of livestock to find worms 
passed in the feces of their animals and to bring them to the veter¬ 
inarian for examination. Specimens of this sort are frequently easy 
to determine and a diagnosis of a definite sort follows immediately 
from the identification. Sometimes the specimens brought in for 
identification are spurious parasites, material of various sorts which 
is not parasitic, but which deceives the client and may at times de¬ 
ceive the veterinarian. A proper technic for the examination of feces 
where parasitism is suspected will usually save the veterinarian from 
error along this line. 
Technic of Fecal Examination 
It is intended here to outline for the most part only the principles 
underlying the technic used in examining feces. As a rule everyone 
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