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Tape Worms.In the sheep the worm undergoes no further development, but when the flesh of the animal is devoured by the dog the imperfectly developed worm - the cysticercus- develops in the stomach and intestines of the latter animal into its mature form, and becomes a tape worm. So, too, the commonest tape worm found in the human subject-the tænia solium - has a similar life history. Its eggs are discharged from the human intestine, and enter the stomach of certain animals, especially sheep and hogs, where the egg undergoes partial development, and becomes a cysticercus. These immature worms are found scattered through the body of the animal ; when present in large numbers they give the flesh that peculiar speckled appearance which is familiar to us under the name of " measly pork. " If this flesh be eaten raw or partially cooked, these imma ture worms undergo development in the human stomach or intes tines, and become full-fledged tape worms. Thorough cooking destroys the cysticerci, so that no development into worms occurs. It is a familiar fact that butchers and cooks are especially prone to tape worms, a fact which is explained by their habit of eating raw or partly cooked meat. In the same way tape worms are doubtless often acquired by children who are fed upon raw meat or slightly cooked broths - a practice which has become quite common in the treatment of the summer diarrhea of infants. It is said that in Abyssinia, where the practice of eating uncooked meat is general, almost every individual harbors at least one tape worm. The solitary tape worm - tænia so Hum - so called because in most cases but one worm is found in the same individual, is a ribbon-like animal, composed of numerous joints, each of which is provided with male and female organs of generation. The worm varies, in length from two or three to forty feet, consisting of from 500 to 1,000 joints. The end of the worm near the head is quite slender, the body becoming gradually larger toward the other ex tremity, the largest joints being half an inch or more in breadth. The head is small and provided with four suckers, and often with a row of hooks, ten or fifteen in number, surrounding the suckers. The joints composing the tail of the animal are often thrown off and escape from the bowel in the stools. In these joints are found enormous numbers of eggs, the number contained in the entire tape worm being estimated at from five to ten millions. Symptoms.-There are no signs by which the existence of a tape worm can be positively asserted. Numerous symptoms are supposed to indicate the presence of the animal - dizziness, ringing in the ears, impairment of vision, flow of saliva, itching about the nose, impairment of appetite and digestion, colicky pains in the abdomen and general emaciation. These, however, may all exist from other causes in cases where no tape worm is present; while on the other hand the worm may be discovered in individuals who consider themselves perfectly well. The bad effects caused by these worms have doubtless been much exaggerated by the popular horror at the idea of the existence of such animals in the human body. When a patient is once aware of the existence of such a worm in his body, he is apt to refer all unusual symptoms of what ever nature to the presence of the animal. The only positive proof of the existence of a tape worm is the passage of some of its joints from the intestine. If the worm have attained considerable size, such fragments are passed daily, or at least at short intervals. If careful examination for several days fails to reveal any of these joints, a cathartic may be given, which generally results in the detachment of several pieces. A negative result may satisfy the physician that there is no worm present ; but the patient is apt to remain fully convinced that there is a tape worm in his bowel. Not infrequently such an individual retains this conviction in spite of all argument and proof to the contrary ; he may, indeed, acquire an insane delusion in regard to the matter. These are, indeed, the most troublesome to treat - not those who have, but those who have not a tape worm, though fully convinced to the contrary. Treatment.-One of the commonest, and certainly a very efficient, means for expelling the worm is turpentine. This is given in quantities varying from one to two tablespoonfuls for adults, usually mixed with the same quantity of castor oil, and taken float ing on milk. This dose may be repeated every second or third day, until the fragments of the worm cease to appear. The objec tion to the use of turpentine is that it sometimes causes difficulty in passing water, and it may induce a state of intoxication in some cases. Another popular remedy is the oil of male fern. This may be given in doses of one or two teaspoonfuls, either in mucilage or in gelatine capsules. Two hours after this dose the patient may take a teaspoonful of turpentine in a tablespoonful of castor oil. A still more familiar remedy is made of pumpkin seeds. Two ounces of the seeds are pounded in a mortar with six ounces of water, the mixture then being strained. Half of this may be taken in the morning and half in the evening. It will probably be necessary to repeat this treatment for several successive days. Several other remedies have been proposed and successfully used for the expulsion of tape worms. Among these is kousso and the bark of pomegranate root; and common salt has been some times found efficient in cases where other remedies had failed. Half an ounce to an ounce of salt taken in gruel before breakfast every morning for several days may be tried, if other means are found inefficient. Whatever remedy may be selected, it is important that certain preparatory treatment should be adopted before the worm remedy itself is given. This treatment consists in abstinence from food for several hours, or a day ; or the patient may employ light diet, such as broth and milk, for two or three days previous to the use of the remedy. It is supposed that by thus withholding food the worm is weakened, since its nourishment is derived from the matters which pass along the intestine, and not from the wall of the intestine itself. After one or two days of this treatment the worm remedy maybe given, and followed in three or four hours by a purgative dose of castor oil. If the first dose be unsuccessful, the plan may be repeated, after an interval of two or three days. Complete suc cess is indicated by the appearance of the worm's head in the stools. Yet it should be remembered that if the greater part of the body be expelled - as may be inferred from the passage of successively smaller joints - the animal will probably die, even though the head may not have been expelled. Unless fragments are again observed in the stools, it may be assumed that the treatment has been suc cessful. The preventive treatment of tape worm is not less important than the measures for the cure. These worms are taken into the body with imperfectly cooked beef, mutton and pork. Preven tion, therefore, consists simply in eating only thoroughly-cooked meat. It is also possible that the worms gain access to the stomach with the drinking water. Hence a certain amount of cau tion in this regard is also to be recommended. 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! 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