Notwithstanding the importance of the entozoa of this large section of
mammals, I must deal with them very summarily, emphasising my remarks
on the parasites of the dog and cat. Only a few of the ectozoa can be
noticed.
The bears are much infested by nematodes, the species being _Ascaris
transfuga_ and _Spiroptera_ (_Gongylonema_) _contorta_ of Molin. The
latter is found in the œsophagus. Immature round worms have also been
found in cysts. These were erroneously described as cestodes by Zeder
and Gmelin. The bear, however, is very liable to be infested by genuine
Cysticerci. Retzius found them in the muscles, and they are described
as examples of the ordinary hog-measle. The museum attached to Guy’s
Hospital contains the heart of a bear which is largely infested by
Cysticerci. A species of tapeworm has been found in the polar bear. The
coati (_Nasua narica_) is infested by _Ascaris brachyoptera_ in the
intestine, by Molin’s _Physaloptera semilanceolata_ from the stomach,
by _Echinorhynchus spirula_, _Tænia crassipora_, and _Ligula reptans_,
the latter occupying the muscles. A second species of Ascaris (_A.
alienata_) is described from _Nasua rufa_.
The racoons (_Procyon_) are infested by a species of pentastome (_P.
subcylindricum_), and Prof. Leidy has described a threadworm (_Filaria
insignis_) obtained from a cyst in the foot. The gluttons (_Gulo_) are
liable to be infested by an Ascaris, a Ligula, and by _Eustrongylus
gigas_. The giant strongyle also infests the coati (_Nasua_). The
skunk harbors _Tænia crassipora_. The Hunterian Museum contains four
specimens of _Strongylus cruciformis_ taken from a badger (_Meles_).
The otters are largely infested by flukes; _Distoma trigonocephalum_,
_D. incrassatum_, and _D. rude_ being found in _Lutra vulgaris_, _L.
solitaria_, and _L. braziliensis_, respectively, the latter also
harboring _Hemistoma clathratum_. Otters are likewise infested by
_Ligulæ_ and _Eustrongyli_. The weasels (_Mustelidæ_) are attacked by
a legion of entozoa, comprising flukes, tapeworms, round worms, and
thorn-headed worms; they are also liable to harbor many ectozoa, a large
tick (_Ixodes_) being especially troublesome.
[Illustration: FIG. 55.--_Strongylus gigas_, coiled within the kidney of
a coati. After Leuckart.]
Amongst the nematodes is Van Beneden’s _Filaroides mustelarum_, for
specimens of which I am indebted to Mr Wright Wilson. This is found in
the lungs, trachea, and in the frontal and nasal sinuses of the common
marten (_Mustela foina_), in which situations it causes absorption of
the cranial bones. This worm occurs also in the polecat (_M. putorius_),
in the common weasel (_M. vulgaris_), and in the pine-marten (_M.
martes_). The larvæ reside in frogs. Weasels are also very liable to
have their kidneys invaded by _Eustrongylus gigas_. A species of
Ascaris and a Trichosoma (_T. entomelas_) are not uncommon in the
intestines. In regard to the tapeworms, _Tænia tenuicollis_ infests the
polecat and the common weasel, and _T. intermedia_ the pine-marten.
The most common fluke of the weasel is _Distoma trigonocephalum_. This
infests the intestine, while _D. megastomum_ is found in the stomach.
The stoat or ermine (_M. erminea_) harbors _Strongylus patens_ and
_Tænia brevicollis_.
The parasites of the civets, ichneumons and their allies, (_Viverridæ_)
are of little importance. Many years ago I described a small fluke
(_Distoma compactum_) obtained from the lungs of the common Indian
ichneumon (_Viverra mungos_). It is figured in my ‘Entozoa,’ (p. 16).
Two species of tapeworm (_Tænia platydera_ and _T. genettæ_) have
been found in the common genet (_V. genettæ_), and also a round worm
(_Ascaris brachyoptera_). From another viverra (_V. senegalensis_)
Dujardin obtained a strongyloid worm (_Dochmius crassus_). A species
of mongoos (_Herpestes leucurus_) is likewise infested by tapeworms
(_Bothriocephalus folium_).
Comparatively speaking, very few entozoa infest the hyænas. In this
family I include the earth-wolf (_Proteles lalandi_). Some years back
Prof. Flower sent me a large number of delicate nematodes found loose
in the peritoneal cavity of this singular South African carnivore.
The worms themselves were so peculiar that I was compelled to form a
new genus for their reception (_Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides_).
From the intestines of the common _Hyæna striata_ Dr Lautner obtained
_Echinorhynchus gigas_.
The parasites of the wolf, jackal, and fox family (_Canidæ_) have
especial interest, as including those of the dog. I can, however, do
little more than mention the names of the various helminths of the dog,
and the sources whence they come. At the same time, I shall incidentally
refer to the wild canine animals that happen to harbor the same
parasites.
[Illustration: FIG. 56.--_Distoma conjunctum._ Eight parasites of the
natural size. Original.]
The flukes of the dog are few in number. Perhaps the most important is
_Distoma conjunctum_, originally discovered by myself in an American
fox (_Canis fulvus_) that died at the Zoological Gardens. Lewis, eleven
years afterwards, found it in the pariah dogs of India, where it is of
frequent occurrence. It infests the bile ducts. As already stated, Prof.
McConnell subsequently found this entozoon in man (1875), a second
instance being recorded later on (1878). Another species of canine
liver fluke has been described by Prof. Ercolani (_D. campanulatum_),
besides which there is the winged species occupying the small intestines
(_Holostoma alatum_). This latter is also found in _Canis azaræ_.
The tapeworms of the dog are not only numerous, but also particularly
injurious, alike to their bearers and to mankind. By experimental
research we have ascertained the sources of most of the _Tæniæ_. The
serrated species (_T. serrata_) is derived from _Cysticercus pisiformis_
infesting hares and rabbits. This is common in sporting animals, owing
to the careless practice of allowing gamekeepers and kennel masters to
throw the fresh viscera of the intermediate hosts to the dogs. I have
witnessed this stupid habit in the field. The cucumerine tapeworm (_T.
cucumerina_) is, by most observers, considered to be identical with
the _T. elliptica_ of the cat. I regard it as a variety. This delicate
species is excessively common and is now, through Melnikow’s discovery,
known to be derived from the louse of the dog (_Trichodectes latus_).
This circumstance affords a curious illustration of the fact that an
ultimate host may carry the intermediate host upon its back.
[Illustration: FIG. 57.--_Tænia cucumerina._ _a_, Strobile; _b_,
head (enlarged); _c_, proglottoid, showing the sexual orifices; _d_,
termination of the reproductive organs on one side. Magnified 60
diameters. Original.]
As regards the relative prevalence of these tapeworms in England, it
may be said that whilst _T. serrata_ occurs almost entirely in our
harriers, greyhounds, sheep-dogs, and lurchers (taught to “pick up”
hares), the _T. cucumerina_ is liable to infest any variety of dog,
and probably infests nearly 70 per cent. According to Krabbe the
prevalence of the last-named species is 57 per cent. in Iceland and
48 per cent. in Copenhagen, whereas the _T. serrata_ is almost absent
from those countries. The gid tapeworm (_T. cœnurus_) is derived from
the ordinary gid hydatid infesting the brains of sheep and lambs. The
polycephalous bladder-worm (_Cœnurus cerebralis_), so familiar to
agriculturists and veterinarians, is often confounded with the ordinary
hydatid infesting ruminants. Cœnuri infest the soft parts of rabbits,
but it remains to be shown whether they are the same species. Possibly
the _Cœnurus cuniculi_ is merely a variety. The gid tapeworm is not
very abundant in England. In Denmark it appears to be rare, occurring
in 1 per cent. only; but in Iceland Krabbe found it in 18 per cent. In
common with other helminthologists, I have frequently reared this and
the serrated species by worm feedings administered to dogs. The lettered
tapeworm (_T. litterata_) is very commonly spoken of as the _Tænia canis
lagopodis_. It was so named by Viborg, but I prefer the more distinctive
nomenclature of Batsch. We know nothing, for certain, respecting
the source of this entozoon. It is rare if not altogether wanting
in Denmark, but abundant in Iceland (21 per cent.). I have obtained
specimens from a cheetah (_Canis jubatus_) which died at the Zoological
Gardens, and Mr W. H. Jackson, of Oxford, found it in a cat. The worm is
certainly not confined to the Arctic fox (_C. lagopus._).
A well-known tapeworm infests the fox which has not yet been noticed in
the dog. This is the _Tænia crassiceps_, whose scolices (_Cysticercus
longicollis_) reside in the viscera and soft parts of field mice
and voles (_Arvicola arvalis_, _A. terrestris_, _A. amphibius_).
This relationship was pointed out by Leuckart. Another tapeworm (_T.
opuntioides_) mentioned by Rudolphi as occurring in the wolf, seems to
be of doubtful authenticity. A formidable and not uncommon tapeworm is
_Tænia marginata_. This large species occurs in at least 25 per cent. of
English dogs, whilst in Iceland its prevalence reaches 75 per cent. In
Denmark about 14 per cent. only.
It is well known that the larval or scolex stage (_Cysticercus
tenuicollis_) of the margined tapeworm resides in the sheep and dog. In
a feeding experiment with five examples of this bladder worm I reared
five strobiles of ten days’ growth. These immature tapeworms were each
one inch long. By far the most important tapeworm of the dog, however,
is the hydatid-forming species (_T. echinococcus_). This remarkable
entozoon is the sole cause of the terrible echinococcus disease, so
prevalent in Iceland and elsewhere. Experimental research, initiated by
von Siebold, has explained its origin; Van Beneden, Zenker, and others
have also experimented successfully. Rarely attaining a length of 1/3″,
the perfect strobile is made up of only three proglottides in addition
to the head, the lowermost segment being sexually mature. As hydatids
(_Echinococcus veterinorum_ or _E. hominis_) are found in a great
variety of animals as well as in man, and as these bearers form so many
kinds of intermediate hosts, it is easy to understand how readily dogs
and wolves may acquire the sexually-mature tapeworm. I am in possession
of hydatids from the liver of a clouded tiger (_Felis macroscelis_).
In England the _Tænia echinococcus_ is excessively rare, and has not
been seen in any dog which had not previously been subjected to a
feeding experiment. Mr Nettleship succeeded in rearing large numbers.
In Iceland, Krabbe found dogs to be infested to the extent of 28 per
cent., a proportion fully explaining the prevalence of hydatid disease
in that country. The remaining tapeworms of the dog belong to the genus
_Bothriocephalus_; of these, the broad tapeworm (_B. latus_) is best
known, because it infests man. Diesing has described a variety found
in the Pomeranian dog as a separate species (_Dibothrium serratum_).
The museum of the Royal Veterinary College contains a very perfect
specimen of _B. latus_ from an English dog, but the parasite is of rare
occurrence in this country. It is generally supposed that this tapeworm
is derived from the consumption of fish belonging to the salmon and
trout family, but Dr Fock, of Utrecht, thinks that the bleak (_Leuciscus
alburnus_) is the usual intermediate host. I have already discussed
this question at some length. Experimental proof is still wanting. In
addition to _B. latus_ the dog is liable to harbor _B. cordatus_, _B.
fuscus_, and also two varieties of the last-named species (_B. dubius_
and _B. reticulatus_, Krabbe). Taking the pit-headed tapeworms as a
whole, their prevalence in Iceland is not considerable, amounting to
about 5 per cent. only. Lastly, it may be mentioned that instances are
recorded of the occurrence of the hog-measle (_Cysticercus cellulosæ_)
in the dog. Though many have felt sceptical on this point, Gurlt’s
authority is not to be lightly set aside, confirmed, as it has been, I
believe, by MM. Mégnin and Leblanc.
Passing to the round worms it may be said that _Ascaris marginata_ is,
at the best, a mere variety of _A. mystax_ of the cat, with which
must also be placed _A. leptoptera_ of the lion and other felines.
The lateral appendages not only vary in breadth in these three forms,
but also in the specimens obtained from each host. I have encountered
examples in a dog, which measured more than six inches in length. The
worm is excessively common in England, occurring in probably not less
than 75 per cent., whilst in Denmark it occurs in about 24 per cent.
According to Krabbe it is rare in Iceland. Its presence is at all
times more or less injurious to the bearer, being a frequent cause
of sickness, colic, convulsive fits, and paralysis. Occasionally the
worms prove fatal to dogs by wandering into the trachea. At the Royal
Veterinary College, in 1864, a litter of six puppies, of only three
weeks growth, died rather suddenly in consequence of the presence of
these worms in the stomach and small intestines. So far back as the year
1684 Redi described round worms from the walls of the œsophagus of a
dog. These were afterwards noticed by various observers in tumours of
the mucous membrane of the stomach. Owing to their red color, derived
from the ingested blood of the host, the species was named _Spiroptera
sanguinolenta_. In 1867 I suggested that the minute Filariæ found by
Grube and Delafond in the blood of dogs would probably turn out to be
referable to this species. The researches of Lewis have proved that
this supposition was correct. To be sure, other nematoid hæmatozoa, of
microscopic dimensions, occur in the dog, but those described by Grube
and Delafond may be referred to _Spiroptera_. These authors estimated
their number in the canine host to vary from 11,000 to upwards of
200,000. In one instance Messrs Grube and Delafond found six worms
lodged in a clot occupying the right ventricle of the heart. Four were
females and two males. Although they were described as representing an
altogether new species, which they termed _Filaria papillosa hæmatica
canis domestici_, I think there can be little doubt that they were
examples of _Spiroptera sanguinolenta_ not fully grown. The writings
of Lewis abound with interesting details respecting the structure and
development of this worm, and as much may be said of the writings of
Manson and Welch concerning the cruel threadworm (_Filaria immitis_,
Leidy) occupying the right cavities of the heart. I was first made
acquainted with this entozoon in 1853, by examining specimens in the
possession of Prof. Hughes Bennett of Edinburgh; at which time also I
was put in possession of a valuable MS. (since lost) describing the
ravages of this entozoon in the dogs of China. I have since received
numerous verminiferous hearts both from China and Japan, and also
some heart-worms from Charleston, U. S., sent by Mr M’Innes. In a
recent communication, Dr Manson has spoken of this worm as if it were
comparatively harmless, but all the evidence I long ago received through
the late Mr Swinhoe, formerly H. B. M. Consul at Amoy, through Mr Dare’s
letters enclosing Dr Orton’s valuable observations (addressed to the
editor of the ‘Field’), through the lost MS. above alluded to, through
Dr Lamprey’s statements, and through many other sources, lead to the
very opposite conclusion. No doubt the canine hosts do for a time appear
to be little inconvenienced by their nematode guests, but sooner or
later the most distressing symptoms set in. As in Hoysted’s case (quoted
below) the convulsive spasms may occasion death in a few minutes, but
frequently they last for hours or days, with more or less prolonged
intervals of relief before the final struggle.
[Illustration: FIG. 58.--_Filaria immitis._ Tail of male. Enlarged.
Original.]
Some other filariform nematodes have been imperfectly described. Of
these, Gescheidt’s _Filaria oculi canini_ (_F. trispinulosa_, Diesing)
was probably a sexually-immature worm, and the same may be said of the
encysted worms found by Mr Mather in the mucous coat of the intestines
and in the liver ducts and acini (_Filaria hepatica_, Cobbold). Of
more interest is Leisering’s hæmatozoon (_Strongylus subulatus_).
These minute worms occupy the veins, the largest females not exceeding
1/12″ in length. They are viviparous, and thus form another source of
embryonic hæmatozoa. A single drop of infected venous blood commonly
carries from four to six mature worms. In this place may be mentioned
Dr Osler’s _Strongylus canis bronchialis_. The largest males measure
1/6″ and the females fully 1/4″. In the worms sent to me by Prof. Osler
I saw no evidence of strongyloid structure, and in his description he
avoids all mention of the presence of any caudal hood in the male. I
regard the worms as Filariæ (_F. Osleri_, Cobbold). Very great interest
attaches to them from the fact that they produce a destructive canine
epizoöty, resembling the ordinary “husk” or parasitic bronchitis of
calves, lambs, and other domesticated animals. The only other genuine
strongyle known to infest the dog is _Eustrongylus gigas_. This is a
very common parasite in wolves. I have already spoken of this parasite
at some length (Book I, p. 207), and can only further refer to the
recently published case by Mégnin (quoted below, and at full length in
my paper in the ‘Veterinarian’ for April, 1879). The Museum of the Royal
Veterinary College contains three fine examples of this worm coiled
within the kidney of a dog, or rather within the renal capsule, for
the substance of the organ is almost entirely wanting. These are from
Bickford’s case.
Amongst the many good “finds” made by Lewis in India, not the least
interesting is that appertaining to _Cheiracanthus robustus_. Lewis,
indeed, supposed that he had detected _Echinorhynchi_ in chestnut-sized
tumours of the walls of the stomach, but, as I pointed out at the time,
the parasites were entirely destitute of Acanthocephalous structure. As
is well known, this curious nematode infests various felines, such as
the wild cat, puma, and tiger. In addition to the above canine nematodes
we have the wrinkled threadworm (_Trichosoma plica_) infesting the
bladder. This is of much more frequent occurrence in the fox. In the
list _Trichina spiralis_ must also be included, although, so far as I am
aware, it has only been seen in dogs that have been subjected to feeding
experiments.
Another nematode common to the fox and dogs, and infesting the cæcum,
is the whipworm (_Trichocephalus depressiusculus_). It is very rare
in the dog. Lastly, there is the important little strongyloid worm
generally known as _Dochmius trigonocephalus_. At the hands of Leuckart
the general structure and development of this entozoon have received
complete elucidation. It infests the small intestines, and is found
alike in the fox, wolf, and cheetah. It has also been obtained from
_Canis lagopus_ and _C. azaræ_. Dr Krabbe did not encounter this worm in
Icelandic dogs; nevertheless, he obtained it in a blue fox which died
in Kjoerbolling’s menagerie, and which had come from Iceland. In Danish
dogs it occurred in less than 2 per cent. The embryos of this worm are
rhabditiform and possess three long bristle-like teeth, the slender
tail being furnished with a distinct appendage at the tip. They develop
in moist situations, where they feed freely, grow rapidly, and change
their skins, throwing off the caudal tip with the first month. It seems
evident that they do not require a change of hosts, since Leuckart
succeeded in rearing the sexually-mature _Dochmii_ by introducing
the rhabditiform larvæ into the stomach of the dog; moreover, his
experiments upon water-snails belonging to the genus _Physa_ gave
negative results.
Of Arachnidan parasites (_Trachearia_) infesting the dog, by far the
most interesting is the well-known _Pentastoma tænioides_, shown by
Leuckart to be the adult condition of the still better known _Pentastoma
denticulatum_. It resides in the nasal sinuses. As already mentioned in
a former part of this work, these parasites present four marked stages
of growth, namely (1), the embryo, (2) the pupa, (3) the active larva
(_P. denticulatum_), and (4) the sexually-mature worm. As the eggs and
their embryonic contents are lodged in the nasal mucus of the dog, and
are commonly distributed by the act of sneezing on the part of the
animal, the sources of infection are not far to seek. Clearly the larvæ
usually get introduced to the bodies of mankind and herbivorous animals
by the ingestion of unclean vegetable matter. The embryos set free in
the stomach bore their way to the liver and other viscera, in which
organs encystation and moulting subsequently take place. The fondling
of dogs infested by pentastomes may prove dangerous by a more direct
transference of the eggs to the hands and mouth. As regards the dog, the
adult parasite has been known to prove fatal. A very striking instance
of this kind was recorded by Prof. Dick, where the worms wandered into
the trachea producing asphyxia.
The ectozoa of the dog, though not numerous as species, are of
importance in relation to mange. The follicle-mites form a family by
themselves (_Demodicidæ_), and, as already observed, those infesting the
dog and cat are, alike, mere varieties of the human species (_Demodex
folliculorum_, var. _caninus_ and var. _cati_). Whilst the human
parasite restricts itself to the face, the canine variety (fig. 52)
will occupy any part of the dog’s body. The follicle-mite of the cat,
however, usually confines itself to the ear. According to Mégnin, to
whose beautiful monograph we owe so much, two or three dozen of these
parasites may be found occupying a single follicle of the dog. Acne-like
pustules are thus formed, and when they are very numerous death may
result from the excessive irritation, which is usually accompanied
with depilation. An interesting example of this kind recently occurred
at the Royal Veterinary College. In regard to the ordinary mange-mite
(_Sarcoptes canis_, Gerlach) M. Mégnin points out that it is in all
respects identical with the human itch-insect. In the wolf and fox,
however, the same species forms well-marked varieties (_S. scabiei_,
var. _lupi_ and var. _vulpis_). As regards true insect parasites and
tormentors of the dog, I can only allude to a few of them. In tropical
America dogs are said to be attacked by the larvæ of a species of gadfly
(_Œstrus canis_), whilst in Africa they are often fatally bitten by the
tsetse (_Glossina morsitans_). In addition to the flies (_Diptera_),
several kinds of fleas (_Aphaniptera_) frequently prove troublesome
(_Pulex canis_, _P. martis_, and _P. penetrans_), and the same may
be said of certain lice (_Hemiptera_). The common louse of the dog
(_Trichodectes latus_) proves especially noxious to young puppies. Of
the two other species, namely, _Hæmatopinus piliferus_ and _H. canis_,
the former is tolerably common, whilst the latter is comparatively
rare. This species is also found on the ferret. A new form of mite
(_Chorioptes ecaudatus_), infesting the ears of the ferret, has recently
been described by M. Mégnin.
I have already referred to several of the parasites of the cat-tribe
(_Felidæ_), but some others require notice. Only two flukes (_Amphistoma
truncatum_ and _Hemistoma cordatum_) have been described as infesting
the cat. Of the tapeworms, _Tænia crassicollis_ is the best known. This
is derived from _Cysticercus fasciolaris_ of the mouse and rat. It is
not uncommon to find this scolex in the sexually-immature tænioid state
in the liver, measuring six or seven inches in length. An exceedingly
interesting communication by Dr Romano, of Gemona (Frioul), demonstrates
the possibility of severe feline epizoöty as due to this entozoon. As
I gather from an account given in the journal quoted below, “during
the summer of 1876, Dr Romano was informed by his confrère Dr Leoncini,
a physician practising at Osoppo, that for about a fortnight most of
the cats in a certain hamlet of the town had died without appreciable
cause after presenting the following symptoms:--Gradual wasting, with
complete loss of appetite, retracted abdomen, slight diarrhœa at first,
then constipation, abundant saliva, contraction of the elevating muscles
of the upper lip in some subjects, great prostration of strength, loss
of the visual faculty. Some of the feline patients no longer heard or
appeared no longer to hear their master’s voice; some vomited and seemed
to experience relief, for the appetite improved, but they soon died
like the others. Nervous phenomena, epileptiform convulsions, and more
frequently colic, also showed themselves. Having visited the locality
(of the outbreak), Dr Romano could not at first procure any corpses for
the post-mortem examination, for the children had thrown them into the
Tagliamento, which flows at the foot of the fortress of Osoppo. It was
only after the lapse of some days that he was able to open one of the
animals which had just succumbed. The principal evils were remarked in
the stomach, the walls of which were retracted and formed the seat of a
catarrhal inflammation, from the products of which a long, white, flat
worm was removed with care for examination. All the other organs were
in good condition. The examination of the helminth in the stomach, made
with the help of Dr Leoncini and Fachini, showed that the flat worm
(white, and with the body divided into rings, 12 centimètres long, and 5
or 6 millimètres broad) had all the characters of the tænias, and this
was confirmed by a microscopic examination of the head. A few days later
Dr Romano made an autopsy of two other cats. In one of the corpses he
noted the alterations described above, and found a tænia smaller than
the first; in the other the same lesions without any helminth. This
negative circumstance very naturally disconcerted Dr Romano, but several
people of the place came to assure him that they had seen their cats,
during the course of the malady, after violent and repeated efforts
at vomiting, throw up a sort of white cord, which they recognised
as corresponding with the tænia he showed them. Thus confirmed and
reassured in his diagnosis, Dr Romano sought to identify the species.”
In this connection it is specially interesting to note that “during the
whole summer the inhabitants of Osoppo had been over-run by bands of
rats proceeding from the fortress. They were combated by means of cats,
and it was the best hunters among the felines that succumbed. Here was,
therefore, a striking relation of cause and effect which could not be
gainsayed.” Dr Romano communicated his observations to the National and
Royal Veterinary Society, but by an error in the report the species
appears to have been described as _Tænia tenuicollis_ instead of _T.
crassicollis_. In this connection I have only further to add that the
wild cat is infested by a tapeworm scarcely an inch in length (_Tænia
lineata_). A species of Bothriocephalus (_B. decipiens_) likewise
infests the domestic cat, in common with most of the wild felines, such
as the tiger, puma, ounce, and jaguar. Dr Bancroft brought me a specimen
from an Australian cat. The nematodes of the cats are very abundant.
Dr Bellingham found a trichosome (_T. felis cati_) in the urinary
bladder of the wild cat. This is probably identical with _T. plica_. A
tolerably common nematode is _Dochmius tubæformis_, which occurs not
only in the cat but also in the leopard, puma, jaguar, ounce, panther,
and also in _Felis tigrina_ and _F. mellivora_. In the last-named and
in other Brazilian felines an echinorhynchus (_E. campanulatus_) was
found by Natterer. A strongyle (_Sclerostoma dispar_) infests the lungs
of the puma. A species of spiroptera (_S. subæqualis_, Molin) infests
the œsophagus and stomach of the lion and tiger. Redi also noticed
a species of Filaria beneath the skin of the lion. _Physaloptera
terdentata_ (Molin) and _P. digitata_ (Schneider) infest the stomach
of the puma. I can only allude also to _Tænia laticollis_ of the lynx,
_Pentastoma recurvatum_, occupying the frontal sinuses and air-passages
of the ounce, and _Ligula reptans_ the subcutaneous tissues of the
leopard. Lastly, there is the _Olulanus tricuspis_ of the domestic
cat. I have examined the lungs of three cats containing this parasite,
which was first described as an entirely new species by Leuckart. The
adult worms, only 1/25″ in length, occupy the walls of the stomach.
Thence they are apt to migrate or stray into the lungs and liver,
where they encyst themselves. When myriads of them are thus encysted a
kind of nematode tuberculosis is set up. This disease I have elsewhere
called _olulaniasis_. Ordinarily, however, the encysted condition of
_olulanus_ is to be found in the muscles of mice, which are thus said to
be olulanised. Clearly, as Leuckart’s experiments substantially prove,
the domestic cat acquires the adult worm by catching and devouring
olulanised rodents. Every now and then the disorder thus created
produces a virulent and fatal feline epizoöty.
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