DANGERS OF HYDATID DISEASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22262, 9 November 1935, Page 7 (Supplement)

DANGERS OF HYDATID DISEASE

A DISABLING ILLNESS COMMON IN NEW ZEALAND Special to THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD by MEDICUS Hydatid cysts are due to' tho ingestion of the ova or eggs of the tapeworm. The adult stage of this worm is passed in the dog, where it assumes its four segments. It is about Jin. long and has a pointed head with a sucker, and a double circlet of booklets. The end segment contains tho reproductive organs whence hundreds of eggs are produced. Sheep, cattle, pigs and even horses aro subject to hydatid disease. When tho offal of these infected animals js eaten in the raw state by dogs tho tapeworm develops, and assumes its adult form in the intestines. Coun-

Dry dogs, and especially those associated with sheep and other stock, are chiefly subject to this particular tapeworm. City dogs do not run the same risk if becoming infected. Preventive Measures in order to diminish the chances of infestation, precautions ought to be taken against the contamination from iuga contained in tho excretae of dogs. Inese eggs are capable of infesting water, and henco water-cress and vegetables, such as celery and lettuce. Vegetables should not bo partaken of in a raw state without washing carefully in water that has been boiled, or soaked in a strong solution of salt and .vater. Domestic animals should have cheir own dishes for food and drink, and these utensils should not be washed with those of the household. Children should be taught always to wash their hands after fondling pets, and particularly so before partaking of food. Dogs should not be allowed to lick the hands and faces of children. In this country offal should be cooked in order to destroy the hydatid cyst before giv-

ing to dogs. Special precautions should bo taken at abattoirs, freezing works, slaughter-houses, farms and sheepstations to see that dogs do not have access to infested hydatid offal. This may act as carriers, so food should be protected by adecpuite coverings. Hydatid disease is common in New Zealand, Australia and Iceland, and in atij country where there is a close association of man and dogs. In New Zealand there is an average of 46 cases yearly. Hydatid disease is very serious, entailing operative measures and risk to life according to the situation of the cyst, it is a disabling illness requiring months of attention in a hospital. The human b'ing ingests the egg, which then lose* its hard shell, freeing tho six-hooked embryo, which bores its way through tho intestine. It may get to any part of tho body, where it settles down and forms a largo cyst or thinwalled sac, which may become as big as a football. Formation ol Cysts The hydatid cyst forms innumerable daughter cysts within tho main cyst, and these again may form granddaughter cysts. Tho tumour slowly increases in size from the accumulation of watery fluid, and may last 2 to 8 years before leading to urgent symptoms. Should the cyst press on special parts, like the big blood-vessels, the heart, the brain, the lungs, serious symptoms develop sooner. Occasionally, the hydatid cyst bursts, and the rupture may tako place with disastrous consequences into a blood-vessel, a bronchus, or the interior of the abdomen. The commonest site of a hydatid cyst is the liver, the hydatid being carried to the liver by way of tho big bloodvessel leading from the intestines.