Trichocephalus Dispar.

Synonyms.—Long Thread-Worm; Whip-Worm.

Natural History.—The trichocephalus dispar, or long threadworm, is found in the intestines, both large and small, and in the stomach, and especially in sickly children and those who are poorly nourished.

"The body is obese, slightly crenate, beneath smooth, finely striated on the forepart; the head obtuse and furnished with a slender retractile proboscis; tail or thinner part twice as long as the thicker, terminating- in a fine, hairlike point; about two inches long, and its color light yellow." There may be several hundred of the parasites found before their complete extinction.

Symptoms.—The trichocephalus, although it may be found in large numbers, rarely produces any symptoms.

Diagnosis.—This is readily made by finding the presence of the worms or finding the characteristic lemon-shaped, hard, dark-brown eggs in the feces.

Treatment.—Vermifuges internally and irrigation of the bowels with saline solutions, will constitute the treatment. The after medication will be as directed for other intestinal parasites.

The Eclectic Practice of Medicine, 1907, was written by Rolla L. Thomas, M. S., M. D.