The taenia or tape-worm is distinguished, as the names imply, by its ribbon like form. It is composed of numerous joints, each of which in the complete state is provided with male and female generative organs. It is really a collection of animals, haying an alternate generative power. From the head are produced the segments or joints by a process of budding.

The head is provided with suckers, and in some instances with hooks, by which means it firmly fixes itself to the mucous membrane of the intestine into which it has been introduced. The segments then multiply, lengthening the chain as it were, and increase in size and sexual development. They remain joined together until fully matured, and then separate from the colony. They generate eggs which contain the embryo or germ from which other taenia are developed. If these enter the stomach of a suitable animal, their envelopes become softened or ruptured and the embryos are set free. In some way or other they leave the digestive canal and make their way to different parts of the body, meeting with conditions favorable to their development. Should these now be introduced into the intestinal canal of another animal, they would fasten themselves to the mucous membrane and again a collection or colony of tape-worms becomes developed.

To render this method of transmission clearer by illustration, the egg from the taenia of the dog if received into the body of a sheep, there finds in certain parts of the organism the conditions necessary for its development and growth, and becomes what is known as the coenurus cerebralis, a parasite found in the sheep's brain, which if eaten by the dog becomes the taenia found in the intestine of that animal.

Another method of propagation is Illustrative; segments of a tape-worm are passed by a dog so infested, or they make their escape from the bowels and locate themselves among the hairs of the coat and deposit their eggs. If the animal is unfortunate enough to be affected with lice (Trichodectes Canis), these eggs are swallowed by them. Within the bodies of the lice the eggs meet with conditions which favor the rupture of their envelopes, and the embryos escape and another transformation takes place. In biting the parts irritated by them the lice are often swallowed by the dog, and thus the germ enters and is developed into a perfect taenia in the intestinal canal which it left as an egg but a few weeks previous. Through this method of transmission an animal may continually infect himself, or by depositing the lice containing the embryos in the kennel, shaking them from his coat into the drinking water or food, they may be introduced into the bodies of other dogs, and they in turn become infected.

Other parasites besides lice act as mediums and supply the conditions favorable to transmission and propagation.

The history of the development of tape-worm in a general way suggests the manner in which they may be acquired. It is necessary that a living embryo be first introduced into the stomach. This usually happens from eating infested meat, which has not been sufficiently cooked to destroy the embryos or render them incapable of further development.

It is of interest to know that in certain countries, taenia with but rare exceptions infests all the inhabitants, among whom raw cow's flesh is looked upon "as the greatest delicacy. In this instance both men and cattle furnish the conditions favorable to propagation.

Several varieties of tape-worm infest the canine race, and are found at every period of life although most rarely among puppies. As regards medical practice, the discrimination is of but little importance, the same measures of treatment being alike applicable to all.

The most common form is cucumerine (Taeuia Cucumerina). This is a delioate tape-worm which measures from ten to twenty inches in length. The anterior portion of the body is like a thread, and the segments are short but lengthen towards the tail. As they ripen the divisions between the segments become more marked so that the worm presents a chainlike appearance. They move about actively in the intestinal canal, and are expelled with the feces or escape of themselves.

The largest tape-worm found in the dog is the marginated, (Taenia Mar-ginata) which may reach ten feet in length and the germ from which it is propagated is derived from the sheep.

Among certain sporting dogs the taenia serrata is the more common, and the parasite from which it is developed is furnished by the hare and rabbit. This tape-worm varies from two to three feet in length. Many other varieties exist, a study of which would be interesting but of little practical benefit.

Symptoms

The symptoms especially due to the presence of tapeworm are but vague and indefinite. Disturbances of digestion, nutrition, and of the nervous system occur, but in many instances are not sufficiently prominent to clearly indicate the existence of taenia.

When the appetite is voracious, and the animal seems strong, active, and apparently in good health yet poor in flesh, if tonic treatment is employed and still the animal remains emaciated, then the presence of a tape-worm should be strongly suspected, and the discharges from the bowels carefully examined. The appearance of segments among the feces will be of course conclusive evidence, and yet it must be remembered that some are so small, others so delicate, they arc casily overlooked; again it is doubted if some forms of the parasites are expelled spontaneously.

In summarizing, it is advised that all facts be weighed carefully, and every effort made to positively determine the existence or non-existence of tape-worm; then if in doubt, give the animal the benefit of it and administer worm remedies.

Treatment

A cure of tape-worm can only be complete when the head is expelled. After treatment has been employed the discharges should be carefully examined to positively determine if it has been successful. By a careful use of water the solid constituents can be washed away and the worm exposed. If the head is not found or escapes observation, the question of complete cure must remain undecided for two or three months, during which period the discharges from the intestinal canal should be occasionally examined for segments. If at the end of that time none have been detected, it may be concluded the cure is perfect, as had the head been retained the worm would have again reached maturity.

It is judicious to employ preparatory treatment before an actual cure is attempted.

The object is to empty thereby the intestinal canal, so that the worm may be detached and expelled more quickly. The animal if matured should be denied solid food for twenty-four hours, being allowed only a very little milk or broth, and a dose of castor oil ought to be administered the day previous to the giving of the vermifuge. A stronger purgative is not Judicious as it is liable to disjoint the worm and the remaining attached portion will be with greater difficulty expelled.

Among the most active agents destructive of tape-worm are areca nut, turpentine, koosso, male fern, kamala, and santonine.

Areca Nut, Or Betel Nut

Areca Nut, Or Betel Nut as it is called, can be given with perfect safety. It should be obtained in the solid form and the darker colored selected as being much stronger than the lighter. It should only be reduced to a powder by grating just before required for use. The dose is one drachm, and is better given in the form of a large pill or bolus incorporated with lard.

The manner of giving turpentine and santonine has already been described in the treatment of round-worms.

Koosso

Koosso operates exclusively as a poison on the tape-worm and seems equally as effectual in all varieties. The dose is two drachms and before administration should be mixed with a cup of warm water and allowed to stand for fifteen minutes.

Male Fern

Male Fern was very much used by the ancients as a vermifuge. Its especial efficacy is in the treatment of tape-worm, upon which it acts as a poison.

The medicine maybe given in the form of a powder, but the etberial extract ( oil of fern ) is to be preferred. The dose of the latter is from ten to fifteen drops and should be given well beaten into a raw egg. The method of some is to administer ten drops at night and repeat in the morning, and followed at the interval of an hour, by a generous dose of castor oil.

Kamala

Kamala is a vemifuge strongly urged by many. The dose is one and one-half drachms, and can be given suspended in milk. Other drags have been advised, and for each especial merits have been claimed, but a de-scripUon of them is unnecessary as the most reliable agents have been selected.

If two or three hours after giving the worm-cure the bowels do not more actively, a full dose of castor oil should be administered.

It must then be appreciated that the digestive organs have suffered rather rough usage, and for a few days the diet should be easily digestible, consisting largely of milk and broths.

After considering the manner in which taenia are propagated in dogs, the means of prevention suggest themselves.