HEALTH NOTES

Hutt News, Volume 16, Issue 6, 8 July 1942, Page 7

HEALTH NOTES

INTESTINAL I\\|{AMTKS By 11. K. & D. W. Adamson, ( Osteopaths). We are glad to acknowledge another question of general interest from a reader of these notes. This time it is about worms. Now, there is a wide variety of these parasites known to affect human beings and some, such as; the hook worm, flukes, and others arc capable of inflicting grave consequences upon their hosts. Fortunately for us in New Zealand, we have nothing more damaging than the tape worm to contend with. There are several varieties of this worm and although its presence in the body frequently results in the formation of hydatid cysts on the liver and elsewhere, its ravages are scarcely comparable with the devastation caused by the hook worm, for instance, throughout the southern states of America and elsewhere. The most common worms we have to contend with are the common round worm and the equally prevalent thread >vorm. Both of these worms are capable of causing no end of distressing symptoms when they are present in the intestines in sufficient numbers, but they are neither difficult to dislodge nor are the results of their occupation of the digestive tract usually attended by seriouS consequences. The common round worm which is harboured by large numbers of children at some time or other and may also be found in adults, closely resemble, the ordinary earthworm, though it is somewhat paler in colour than most of these. They range from 4 inches to 12 inches in length and in appearance they vary from a milky white to a pale pink in colour. They mostly inhabit the small intestines, but they may also be found in the colon and even in the stomach, and more rarely in the bile duct and gall bladder. An odd worm or two may remain unnoticed in the intestines, but should it migrate into the stomach or bile duct, its presence would seriously disturb the digestive function. Cases of' severe jaundice have occured as a result of a worm blocking the bile duct When they are present in con-j siderable numbers, it is us'ually not difficult to detect their presence, but 1 in the last analysis, the appearance of worms in the stools is the only conclusive evidence of their presence, because the symptoms tlieyj produce are compatible with the symptoms of other alimentary troubles also, intestinal catarrh forj instance However, if a chitd has a tendency to frequent attacks of collicky pains and especially at night time, and in addition has such nervous symptoms as turning in his sleep, grinding of the teeth, picking and scratching of the clothes, face or body, the presence of worms may be strongly suspected. There may also be vomiting as well as constipation, alternating with attacks ol diarrhea. In all long .'standing cases, there anvariably develops an anemic condition of the blood as a secondary complication..

Thread worms, as the name implies, are for all the vvprld like so many bits of white thread of from .{ inch to A inch long. Their habitat is the lower bowel mainly, though they may also be found in the decending colon, in the anus and in the genitalis. Like all intestinal parasites, they thrive in a stagnant bowel or colon and as tliey propagate freely, their numbers will sometimes run into hundreds. Their chief contribution to the discomfort of their host, is an intense itching of the anus and surrounding parts, including the genitals 1 , and on this account all parents should exercise every care to safeguard their children from their presence. - There are several types of tape worms found in New Zealand, and although cases of infection are fairly common,.the ravages of this cyst forming* parasite has assumed nothing like the proportion found in some other pastoral or cattlc countries. Generally speaking, the life history of the various types are much the same. The ova may be introduced into the human body by drinking contaminated water, or the spores or embryos may be taken into the stomach in the flesh of infected animals, especially that of pork. For thiw reason it is preferable to overcook flesh foods rather than to eat them undercooked. Tape worms are producers of hydatid cysts on the liver and elsewhere. They are the cause oi a severe lorm of anemia and many obscure and debilitating nervous symptoms. Hydatid cysts involve surgical removal. Round worms and tliread worm:.: are fairly easy to eradicate provided, drastic dietary action is promptly taken. They may also be removed by the aid of chemical remedies, 'but, unless suitable dietary measures are instituted to thoroughly clean up the alimentary canal, the intestines and colon are just as likely to become infested again within a month or two. Santonin is largely used as an anthelmintic and those requiring quick dispersal oL' these parasites can get some made up by any chemist. The treatment of thread worms consists of washing the anus and genitals with a suitable antiseptic such as a carbolic acid solution,

plus the washing or flushing out of the bowel .with a Kail, water 'enema or a solution ol' quaftsia allum etc., to be repeated daily for a few days. This, will eradicate these parasites,-" but the next step is to prevent tiloir return and this can only ibe achieved by promoting a high degree of alimentary activity, which I means the adoption of more rat ional eating habits,

Where drugs in any sliape or form are objected to. a l'ast of two or three days and followed by a fruit, especially a, citrus fruit, diet, for another three or four days, will be found particularly effective. In the case of thread worms, however, it will be found necessary to include the saltod or other enema, as well. Remember, fruit and salad vegetables must preponderate in the diet