=Varieties.=—Taenia solium; taenia saginata; bothriocephalus latus.
The larvæ of tape-worms are introduced into the intestinal canal by
food and drink. The parasite reaches adult growth in the intestines.
The larval forms are then found again in the muscles and solid organs.
=Taenia Solium.=—This is derived from the hog, and is the most common
form in this country. When mature it is from two to four yards in
length. The head is small, about the size of a pin, and provided with
four cup-like suckers surrounded by a double row of hooklets, hence it
is called the armed tape-worm. The head is fastened to the body by a
thread-like neck, and following the neck, the body occurs in segments.
The sexual organs, both male and female, occur in the center of the
broad surface of the segment. The segments are about one millimeter in
length and seven or eight millimeters in breadth. There are thousands
of ova in each mature segment. The worm attains its growth in about
twelve to fifteen weeks, after which time the segments are shed and
passed. For further development the ova must gain entrance to the
stomach of a pig or of man, and passing from the stomach they may reach
the muscles and organs and develop into larvæ or cysticerci.
=Taenia Saginata.=—This is derived from beef, and is much longer and
larger than the taenia solium. It is from five to six yards in length;
the head is over two millimeters in breadth, is square shaped, and
has four large sucking discs, without hooklets; hence it is called
the unarmed tape-worm, in contra-distinction to the hooked variety.
The segments are thicker and the ova larger, and they are passed and
ingested in the same manner as the taenia solium.
=Bothriocephalus Latus.=—This is found especially in Europe and is very
long, measuring from eight to ten yards; it is derived from fish, is
not provided with hooklets, but has two lateral grooves. The segments
are short and wide, the sexual organs being on the narrow side of the
segment.
=Etiology.=—Unhealthy condition of the stomach and intestines is the
predisposing, and uncleanliness an important, factor in the occurrence
of tape-worm. Those eating imperfectly cooked beef, pork, fish or other
meats, and those handling fresh meats, are liable to be affected with
tape-worm.
When the ovum is taken into the stomach the capsule is dissolved and
the embryo passes into the small intestines, fastening itself into the
mucous membrane, by its hooklets and suckers and grooves.
=Symptoms.=—Tape-worms occur in the human being at all ages. Oftentimes
symptoms are absent, the expulsion of segments being noticed and thus
the worms accidentally discovered. The tape-worm is seldom dangerous,
but if a worm is known to exist it is always a source of considerable
anxiety on the part of the patient. Severe anemia may result and be
wrongly diagnosed.
There are dyspeptic symptoms, colicky pains, nausea and occasionally
diarrhea. The appetite is variable, sometimes ravenous. This condition
is followed by loss of flesh and various reflex phenomena, as vertigo,
headache, convulsions, palpitation, choreic movements, itching of the
nose and anus, paralysis, and rarely, insanity. In addition to these
symptoms there may be a wrinkled countenance, sensation of a cold
stream winding itself toward the back immediately after a meal, pain
in various parts of the body and ringing in the ears. The decisive
diagnostic symptom is to find segments of the worm in the stools.
=Diagnosis.=—Discovery of the ova or segments in the passages of the
bowels is the only proof of the presence of a tape-worm.
=Prognosis.=—Favorable in all cases.
=Treatment.=—Prophylactic treatment is necessary. Meats should be
thoroughly cooked so that the larvæ will be destroyed; and all segments
of tape-worms passed in the stools should be burned—by no means should
they be thrown outside or in the water-closet.
The immediate expulsion of a tape-worm is not a necessity. First of
all the mode of living, and then the general state of health should
be corrected. Tape-worms invariably result from a general state of
unhealthiness, and with improved health and corrected digestive
processes the worms cannot exist, and in a short time will be expelled.
Expulsion of the head is necessary before the case will be cured, for
if the head is not expelled new segments will continue to grow.
Stimulating the liver to increase the amount of bile, and increasing
the activity of the digestive glands of the stomach and intestines,
by a thorough treatment of the splanchnic region and direct treatment
over the abdomen, will usually be sufficient for the cure of intestinal
parasites. The treatment will probably have to be repeated several
times, in order that the intestines may regain a healthy tone, so that
the parasite will not find favorable conditions for its existence
within the intestines, and that the bile may be secreted in sufficient
quantities to dislodge the worm.
Hahnemann claimed, “that during a period of comparative health
tape-worms do not inhabit the intestines proper, but rather the
remnants of food and fecal matter contained in the intestines, living
quietly as in a world of their own without the least inconvenience to
the patient and finding their sustenance in the contents of the bowels.
During this state they do not come in contact with intestinal walls,
and remain harmless. But when from any cause a person is attacked by
an acute disease the contents of the bowels become offensive to the
parasite, which in its writhing and distress touches and irritates
the sensitive intestinal lining, thus increasing the complaints of
the patient considerably by a peculiar kind of cramp-like colic. (In
similar manner the human foetus in the womb becomes restless, twists
its body and moves whenever the mother is sick, but floats quietly in
the liquor amnii, without distressing her while she is well.)” This
but harmonizes with the osteopathic theory and practice with regard
to tape-worm, that there is an unhealthy condition of the intestines
which predisposes to the affection, and consequently the cure must be a
correction of such a disordered state.
During the treatment, if a light diet of milk and broths is given, it
will favor an earlier removal of the parasite, by helping to remove the
mucus in which the head is embedded. If this fails extract of male fern
is suggested.