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Intestinal Worms.Many of the organisms which live in the human body, how ever, are of large size, so as to be plainly visible to the naked eye. Among these are several varieties of worms which find the most favorable conditions for their existence in the human intestine. Those of most frequent occurrence are the round worm (Ascaris Lumbricoides)y the threadworm {Ascaris Vermicularis), the various species of tape worm ( Tænid) and the trichina spiralis. The round worm is familiar to every mother of a large family. It resembles in appearance the common earth-worm, though it is usually of larger size. The body is round, tapers toward either ex tremity, and is of a yellowish white color. It varies in length from six to twelve or fourteen inches. This worm is quite rare during infancy, being most frequently found between the ages of four and twelve years ; yet it may also inhabit the intestines of adults. Numbers of these worms are usually found in the same individual, sometimes coiled together in balls of considerable size. They are frequently passed from the bowels with the evacuations, and sometimes though less frequently pass upward into the stomach and even into the mouth. They are occasionally found in matter which has been ejected from the stomach by vomiting. These worms are generally supposed to be found in the intes tines of poorly nourished individuals, though this is by no means the invariable rule. They are sometimes observed in the stools of perfectly healthy individuals, who present no symptoms of any difficulty of the bowels or other organs. It seems, therefore, probable that these worms are not generally detrimental to health, or at least that their presence is the result rather than the cause of the ill health of those who happen to harbor them. It may be said of most of the intestinal worms that they are not known to oc casion serious illness. The round worm grows from eggs which are laid by the parent worm in the intestine, and escape with the stools ; these probably enter the body of another individual with the drinking water. Having once found access to the intestine the eggs develop into mature worms. Various symptoms are supposed to indicate the presence of these worms in the intestine; among these are swelling of the abdomen and colicky pains over the bowels ; impairment of the appetite, unusual flow of saliva, an offensive odor of the breath, itching about the nose, and especially grinding of the teeth during sleep. All of these symptoms may, however, be present in cases in which no worms can be found ; but in such cases it is advisable to administer a cathartic, and to observe the stool as to the presence of these worms. Treatment.-The expulsion of round worms from the intes tine is usually an easy matter. A full dose of some cathartic, such as the citrate of magnesia, may be administered, and after it has acted, the following prescription may be given : . . Santonin, - - - Twenty grains. Divide into ten pills, and take one morning and night. This dose will suffice for a young adult; for a child it should be reduced ; or, instead of this there may be given a teaspoonful of the fluid extract of senna and spigelia, which may be taken before breakfast on an empty stomach. For children the latter prescription will usually be the better, because safer, since santonin has been known to pro duce serious prostration and nervous exhaustion in young indi viduals. Since these worms are probably taken into the stomach with the drinking water, it becomes desirable to exercise some care in avoiding a recurrence of the trouble. To do this the child should not be permitted to drink water from shallow wells or from muddy streams, especially from such as are found in the immediate neigh borhood of dwellings. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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