colour, which seems to be owing to the nature of its food, which is derived from the vessels of the kidney, as, when suppuration has taken place round it, the worm has been found of a whitish hue." In the human kidney it has been known to attain the length of three feet, with a diameter of half an inch. "The head (a) is obtuse, the mouth orbicular and surrounded by six hemispherical papillæ (A); the body is slightly impressed with circular striæ, and with two longitudinal impressions; the tail is incurved in the male, and terminated by a dilated point or bursa (B), from the base of which the single intromittent spiculum (b) projects. In the female the caudal extremity is less attenuated and straighter, with the anus (c) a little below the apex." (Cyclopedia of Anatomy, art. Entozoa.) I have been thus particular in inserting descriptions of these worms, because I find that the study of their natural history is becoming more general; and as there is a large field for the microscopic

inquirer, it is well to have a good ground to start from. The generation of parasites is at all times of great interest, but, with reference to the Entozoa, there is so much still unknown, that the natural historian who would be able to throw light on this branch of his favourite study would deserve the thanks of those who, while they take an equal interest in it with himself, have not the opportunity, or perhaps the industry, which he possesses.

The symptoms of the presence of worms in the dog should be carefully noted and anxiously looked for, if the health of the animal is of any importance. They are, an unhealthy appearance of the coat, the hair looking dead and not lying smoothly and evenly; appetite ravenous in proportion to the condition, which is generally low, though worms may exist for months without interfering much with the presence of fat. After a time, however, the fat of the body is absorbed, and the muscles, without being firm and prominent, are marked with intervening lines from its absence. The fæces are passed frequently and in small quantities, the separate passage of a small quantity of mucus each time being particularly indicative of worms, especially if there is first a solid lump, and then a small portion of frothy mucus. The spirits also are dull, the nose hot and dry, and the breath offensive. These signs are only present to the full extent when the dog is troubled with tape-worm, or with the round-worm in large quantities; the maw-worm being only slightly injurious in comparison with the others, and seldom producing the whole of the above train of symptoms. The kidney-worm, of course, has no effect upon the intestinal secretions, but it produces bloody urine, more or less mixed

with pus. Still, as these are often present without this worm, it is impossible to predict its existence during life, with any degree of certainty. When worms are suspected, in order to distinguish the species, it is better to give a dose of calomel and jalap (16), unless the dog is very weakly, when the areca nut may be substituted (65); and then, by watching the faces, the particular worm may be detected and the treatment altered accordingly.

The expulsion of the worms is the proper method of treatment in all cases, taking care afterwards to prevent their regeneration, by strengthening the system, and by occasional doses of the medicine suited to remove the worm in question. All vermifuges act as poisons to the worms themselves, or as mechanical irritants; the former including the bulk of these medicines, and the latter powdered glass and tin as well as cowhage. These poisons are all more or less injurious to the dog, and in spite of every precaution fatal results will occur after most of them; even the areca nut, innocent as it is said to be, having occasionally nearly destroyed the life of valuable dogs under careful superintendence. There is a wonderful difference in the power of resisting the action of remedies in certain individuals of the dog tribe, as well as in the worms themselves; so that whereas in some instances a remedy may clear a dog easily without the slightest ill effect upon him, in another, apparently under the very same circumstances of health and strength, remedy and dose, a fatal result, or nearly so, shall be produced, and even without bringing away the worms. Hence there is always some little risk in conducting the removal of these troublesome parasites, which directly and indirectly cause more

deaths than all other diseases put together; the former by their own prejudicial effects, and the latter from the abuse of the powerful drugs which are employed.

The following list of remedies against the various worms is inserted:

For round and maw-worms:

Betel nut (Nux areca).

Stinking hellebore (Helleborus fœtidus).

Indian pink (Spigelia Marylandica).

Calomel (Hydrargyri chloridum).

Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium).

Santonine, the active principle of wormseed (Artemisia contra).

Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens).

Powdered tin and glass.

For tape-worm:

Spirit of turpentine (Spiritus terebinthinæ).

Kousso (Brayera anthelmintica).

Pomegranate bark (Punica Granatum).

Leaves and oil of male fern (Filix mas).

The areca nut was first recommended in this country as a vermifuge about ten years ago, by Major Besant, who had seen it used in India for that purpose. Since that time it has been very generally adopted, and appears to answer the purpose remarkably well, if it is frequently used, and dependence is not placed on a single dose. It should be given every week or ten days, for six or seven times, if the round-worm is present; but two or three doses occasionally given will suffice for the maw-worm. Six or eight hours afterwards, a dose of castor oil should be given. The dose of the

freshly powdered areca nut is about two grains to every pound of the dog's weight. Thus a dog of 30 lbs. will take one drachm, or half an average nut. The powder should be merely the nut roughly grated with a coarse "grater;" and it should be quickly mixed with some good broth, thickened with oatmeal, and given before the bitter taste is extracted by soaking, after which the dog will not voluntarily take it.

Stinking hellebore is very innocent, and even useful in other ways. The dose for a 30 lbs. dog is five or six grains mixed up with eight or ten of jalap, and formed into a bolus, to be given every five or six days.

Indian pink is a very powerful vermifuge; but it also occasionally acts very prejudicially on the dog; and it must never be given without knowing the risk which is incurred. I have myself used it in numberless instances without injury; but its employment has so frequently been followed by fatal results in other hands that I cannot do otherwise than caution my readers against it. How, or why, this has been, I have never been able to ascertain; but, that it is so, I have no doubt whatever. If it is determined to use it, half an ounce of the drug, as purchased, should be infused in half a pint of boiling water; and of this infusion, after straining it, from a table-spoonful to two table-spoonfuls should be given to the dog, according to size, followed by a dose of oil.

Calomel is a powerful expellant, but it also is attended with danger. The dose is from three to five grains, mixed with jalap. (See 12, page 346.)

Wormwood may be given with advantage to young puppies, being