Fig. 146.—Fasciolopsis buski, Lank. V.s., ventral sucker; C.p., cirrus pouch; I., intestinal fork; S.v., vitellaria; T., testes; O., ovary; Ms., sucker; Shg., shell gland; Ut., uterus. Magnified. (After Odhner.)
The length of the body varies; it may measure 24 to 37 or even attain 70 mm.; the breadth is from 5·5 to 12 to 14 mm. In the pig the fresh parasites measure, smallest, 12 to 8 mm.; largest, 35 to 16 mm. (Mathis and Léger). Skin without spines, but according to Heanly always present in man and pig specimens. The oral sucker measures 0·5 mm. in diameter; the ventral sucker is three to four times as large; the pharynx is globular, 0·7 mm. in diameter; the prepharynx is provided with a sphincter; the intestinal cæca extend to the posterior border with two characteristic curves, one at the anterior border of the anterior testis, the other between the two testes. The genital pore is at the anterior border of the ventral sucker; the cylindrical cirrus pouch extends from behind the ventral sucker to half-way to the shell gland. The seminal vesicle extends forwards within the cirrus pouch as a convoluted tube. From its anterior portion is given off the cæcal appendage, which has itself short lateral diverticula. It runs backwards, ending blindly about 0·5 mm. from the posterior end of the cirrus sac. The seminal vesicle is continued as the pars prostatica (?) 0·5 mm. long, and this by the very short ejaculatory duct (13 µ), and finally by the fairly long cirrus, which is beset with very fine spines except at either extremity. The ovary and shell gland are situated at about the middle of the body with the testes behind them, and the uterus in front. The vitellaria extend from the ventral sucker to the posterior border. The eggs measure 120 µ to 130 µ in length and 77 µ to 80 µ in breadth, and resemble those of Echinochasma sp. in dogs. The larval stages are said to occur in shrimps.
Habitat.—Intestine of pig and man.
Distribution.—In man: India, Siam, China, Assam, Sumatra. It is common in Cochin China (16 out of 133 Annamites, Noc.), in Tonkin very rare. Dr. J. Bell has sent me [J. W. W. S.] human specimens from Hong Kong. In pigs: very common in South China (Heanly). Common in pigs in Hong Kong. Sixteen out of 248 pigs (i.e., 6 per cent.) infected in Hanoi.
Fasciolopsis rathouisi, Ward, 1903.
Syn.: Distomum rathouisi, Poirier, 1887.
