We are not able to state positively, how long the oil of turpentine has been in use as a remedy for taenia. The Carey Street Report for Feb. 1810, informs us, that a mechanic in Durham, having been very successful in the treatment of taenia by means of this article, the circumstance was communicated by Dr. SOUTHEY, of that place, to Dr. LAIRD of London; and it was accordingly prescribed in doses of [Symbol: ounce]ss. to [Symbol: ounce]ij. at several of the London charities. It had been found, says the report, that ol. tereb. might be thus given, as safely as so much gin, and frequently caused the expulsion in two hours: Dr. KNOX says it has been in use in Germany for fifty years for the expulsion of taenia. The experience of Dr. KNOX, concerning taenia, at the Cape of Good Hope, is the most extraordinary that we are acquainted with. Dr. SPARMAN, the traveller, had observed, that worms were exceedingly common in the northern parts of the colony; but Dr. KNOX, who was there in 1819, did not notice any special prevalence of verminous disorders, "previous to Oct. 1819, when the _tape worm became so general among the troops, as to resemble an epidemic_."[19] Most of these troops had been employed on a short campaign to the east of the great fish river. They had been compelled to live on very bad beef and mutton, driven and starved half to death; and Dr. KNOX thinks he has proved, that the taenia in these cases did "arise from the use of unwholesome animal food; from the flesh of animals, which had been diseased." Two out of five of the troops, who had been thus employed and fed, were affected with worms. Of a detachment of 86 vigorous, healthy young men, 36 were found, on inquiry, to have _tape_ worm. Those who remained in the colony did not suffer so much, as those who had been out on the campaign, the ratio being as one to four; whereas of the others, it was two to five. Dr. KNOX had ample experience of the utility of turpentine during this singular prevalence of taenia. Concerning the 36 men above mentioned, he says, "the cure of all, who chose to adopt the means, was easily effected by small doses of the spts. of turpentine, after the failure of purgatives and various other remedies." He considers ol. tereb. as the _most efficacious remedy_. He does not approve of large doses, because of headach, vertigo, and delirium, which have been produced by them in "many patients." "I have generally found," says he, "that from one to two drachms of ol. tereb., given in a little water, morning and evening, for three successive days, were sufficient to destroy the taenia solium, (even in the most obstinate cases,) and cause it to leave the intestines, without the aid of any purgative medicine." He advises, however, to give a little castor oil each day about noon.