In Japanese schistosomiasis, following the stage of urticarial fever, we have our best diagnostic means in examining the blood-tinged bit of mucus capping the stool for the spineless ova of the fluke.
The fluke diseases of the liver and intestines give rise to various disturbances. The diagnosis is by the finding of the specific ova.
In infections with Strongyloides stercoralis there may be vague manifestations of neurasthenia and diarrhoeal disturbances. Cochin China diarrhoea was once thought to be a Strongyloides infection.
Infections with amoebae, intestinal flagellates and ciliates are discussed under dysentery.
Intestinal flagellates are so common in the stools of well people in the tropics that one should be very careful in assigning a pathogenic rôle to them.
It is now generally accepted that Lamblia (Giardia) can bring about exhausting diarrhoeas.
Intestinal Myiases
In the tropics vague intestinal disturbances or violent abdominal cramping may be brought about by dipterous larvae in the intestinal canal. The symptoms may be those of a dysentery and may be attended with fever and malaise. The biliary tract also may be invaded. For a more detailed statement of the several myiases, see [Chapter XXV].
