HOORWORM DISEASE

Also known as Ankylostomiasis, uncinariasis, miner’s anaemia, tunnel disease, etc. disease prevalent in hot climates, especially in the south eastern portion of the United States, West Indies, and Central and South America. It is caused by a parasitic worm, known as ankylostomum duodenale, which lodges in the intestines. The worms, of which there may be any number from a few up to many you sands in the intestines, are from 1-60 to 1-25 inch in length, and aimost cylindrical. The disease has probably existed from time immemorial, but the worm was first discovered by Dubini in 1838. In the years 1853 to 1854, Bilharz and Grieseinger definitely connected the symptoms of the disease with the presence of the worms in the body, but it is only during recent years that the wide prevalence of the disease in the United States has been realised and its causes and treatment fully understood. The early symptoms are caused by the pa age of the larvae through the skin. This produces irritation followed by burning, inflammation, blisters and finally pustules. The pustules form scabs, which fall off, leaving sores. The sores heal in about two weeks and the patient then appears to recover almost completely. In another six to eight weeks, however, the later symptoms, due to the development of the worms in the intestines, appear. There is general weakne and languor, pallor, pains in the upper abdomen, indigestion and sometimes constipation, In severe cases death may ensue. The disease attacks children very readily, sometimes with tragic results. The child’s bodily and mental development may be retarded to such a degree as to leave him permanently stunted and mentally deficient..The disease, however, responds readily to treatment, especially in the early stages. ‘The expulsion of the parasites is followed by slow but almost certain recovery. The day previous to the treatment the patient fasts after the mid-day meal, and is given a strong purgative _ upon retiring, followed, if nece ary, by a dose of laxative salts the next morning. After the bowels have acted, an anthelmintic is administered. The two most effective are oil of che no podium (either with or without chloroform) and thymol. As the latter drug is a poison, care must be used in its administration... The drugs are given in two doses, one hour apart followed by a further dose of laxative. The patient should remain in bed, and no food should be taken until the evening meal.