The Symptoms of Strongylus Duodenalis Infection

Ancemia; pallor; exhaustion; dyspepsia; disturbances of the circulation; fickle appetite; morbid appetite for mortar, wood, coal, etc.; pain and heaviness in the stomach; shortness of breath; quick pulse; giddiness; ringing in ears; black spots before the eyes; dropsy; diarrhea and vomiting.

This worm occurs only in warm countries, and in this country is confined to the Southern States. The worm lives on the blood sucked from the blood-vessels of the mucous membrane to which it attaches itself. It is this that leads to the great anaemia and prostration met in this disease.

The Cause of Strongylus Duodenalis Infection

The cause is the same as that of other parasitic diseases of the intestinal canal; viz., the reception into the stomach, in food or drink, of the eggs or embryos of the parasite.

The Treatment of Strongylus Duodenalis Infection

In bad cases recovery is very doubtful. The remedies best to employ are those already recommended for other worms. Oil of turpentine is stated to be very efficacious. It should be given in milk in two tablespoonful doses, quite a quantity of milk being taken afterward. As it is probable that the eggs of this worm are introduced into the body in drinking water, it is important that the greatest care should be taken to secure pure water. In case there is any possibility of danger from this source, water should be carefully filtered or boiled. It is stated upon good authority that intestinal parasites are very rare in Paris, which is attributed to the fact that in that city nearly all the water drank is filtered.