Incidence of Hydatid Disease

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 65, 18 March 1936, Page 4

Incidence of Hydatid Disease

NO CAUSE FOR ALARM The Palmerston North Hospital Board at its meeting on Monday was asked to supply information to the Hydatid Research Committee of the Otago Medical School, the fullest details as to the incidence of the disease in this district, with a view to the adoption of approved measures for its prevention and cure. The “Times” learned yesterday that this did not mean that there was any alarming increase in the disease. More cases of hydatid infection were being reported but this was only to bo expected with an increase in population. Taken generally, the increase m infection was keeping step with the increase in population. Amongst domestic animals, however, there was possibly ICO per cent, infection. Tho hydatid is the bladder-worm stage of certain tape-worms ana is found in human beings, cattle, sheep, pigs, etc., and may vary from the size of a pea to that of a child’s head, weighing in some cases 12 to 301bs. The bladder-worm is notable for its prolific asexual multiplication. From the inner surface, in numerous special brood capsules of the size of millet seed, sometimes hundreds of “heads” arc budded off. The tape-worm is very small and it occurs in large numbers in tho intestine of dogs. When the dog is kept too much about the house it becomes possible for the developing eggs to get on to food or dishes and thus into man.