Parasites: A Treatise on the Entozoa of Man and Animals: Including Some Account of the EctozoaCobbold, T. Spencer (Thomas Spencer)
Science
Parasites: A Treatise on the Entozoa of Man and Animals: Including Some Account of the Ectozoa
Cobbold, T. Spencer (Thomas Spencer)
Helminths; Parasites
In the autumn of 1872 I caused a lamb to be fed with the proglottides of
a tapeworm which I referred to this species. The animal was slaughtered
on the 22nd of January, 1873, when the result was stated to have been
negative. As I had no opportunity of examining the carcase, I cannot
feel quite sure that there actually were no Cysticerci present. On
several occasions I have detected measles in the flesh of animals, when
none were supposed to be present by those who either assisted me or
were professional on-lookers. Assuming my _Tænia tenella_ to be derived
from the sheep’s Cysticercus, I think it fitting to describe the mutton
measle in this place. Even if _T. tenella_ be not actually the adult
representative of the mutton measle (_Cyst. ovis_), it is quite certain
that the scolex in question gives rise to an armed tapeworm, and it is
almost equally certain that the adult armed cestode resides in man.
In Pruner’s case, which is by no means unique, we have seen that two
distinct species of cestode may coexist in the human bearer. It is quite
possible that some one may yet have the good fortune to detect the beef
tapeworm, the pork tapeworm, and the mutton tapeworm, all together in
one and the same host.
On five separate occasions I have detected measles in “joints” of
otherwise excellent and healthy mutton brought to my own table, and
supplied by the family butcher. On several other occasions I have had
these parasites brought under my notice; nevertheless, many persons
are either unaware of, or actually deny, the existence of these ovine
parasites. Thus, MM. Masse and Pourquier, in the ‘Montpellier Med.
Journ.’ for Sept., 1876, make the following statement: “The sheep, not
being subject to measles, it seems to us natural to employ the raw meat
of that animal whenever it is required for nourishment in the treatment
of diarrhœa, in weaning children, in phthisis, and for anæmics.”
Clearly, if MM. Masse and Pourquier could have brought themselves to
believe that English literature is worth consulting on such matters,
they would not have made this statement. Incidentally they also observe,
when speaking of beef measles:--“Un fait que nous avons remarqué et que
nous tenons à signaler, c’est que nous avons trouvé des cysticerques
nageant librement dans l’eau où nous avions plongé de la viande infestée
de ladrerie.” Certainly this is a novel experience. That measles should
not only get out of their cysts, but should have the power of “swimming
freely” in the water is a phenomenon which requires explanation. There
must have been some error of observation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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