Tetrastoma renale, Chiaje; Hexathyridium pinguicola, Treutler; and H. venarum, Treutler.—Whether these forms are good species or not, the fact that they were genuine parasites cannot, I think, be disputed. The first-mentioned measured five lines in length, and was found by Lucarelli in the urine. The second, eight lines long, was found by Treutler in a small tumour connected with the ovary. The third, measuring three lines in length, was twice found in venous blood, and twice in the sputum of patients suffering from hæmoptysis.
Bibliography (No. 10).—Delle-Chiaje, ‘Elmintografia Umana,’ 1833.—Bremser (l. c., Bibl. No. 2), s. 265, 1819.—Cobbold, ‘Entozoa’ (p. 204, et seq.).—Dujardin (l. c., Bibl. No. 2), s. 265, 1819.—Treutler, ‘Obs. Path. Anat. ad Helm. Corp. Humani,’ p. 19, 1793.—Zeder, ‘Anleitung zur Naturg. der Eingeweidewürmer,’ s. 230, 1803.
Amphistoma hominis, Lewis, and McConnell.—The original account of this species is based upon two finds. The first series of specimens was procured from Dr J. O’Brien, of Gowhatty, and the second set from the Pathological Museum of the Calcutta Medical College. Dr O’Brien and Dr Curran together procured their specimens, post-mortem, from an Assamese. There were hundreds of worms present in the vicinity of the ileo-colic valve. The museum specimens were procured from a patient who died at the Tirhoot gaol hospital in 1857. They were (say the authors) presented to the museum by Dr Simpson, and in the catalogue their history was briefly recorded as follows:
Fig. 6.—The human amphistome (Amphistoma hominis). Longitudinal section. a, Oral sucker; b, pharyngeal bulb; c, nerve ganglia; d, œsophagus; e, genital pore; f, vagina; g, ductus ejaculatorius; h, ventral nerve cords; i, intestinal canal; j, upper testis; k, water vessel; l, lower testis (ovary according to Lewis); m, principal ducts of the vitellarium; n, branches of the vitellary ducts; o, ventral pouch or bursa; p, caudal sucker. Magnified 12 diameters. After Lewis.
“The cæcum of a native prisoner who died from cholera in the Tirhoot gaol hospital, with a number of peculiar and, probably, hitherto unrecognised parasites, found alive in that part of the intestinal canal.” (Presented by Dr Simpson through Professor E. Goodeve.)
In continuation of their narrative, Drs Lewis and McConnell go on to say that, “with reference to this preparation, the following very interesting particulars from the ‘Annual Jail Report of Tirhoot’ for 1857 have been very kindly placed at our disposal by the Surgeon-General, Indian Medical Department. The prisoner, Singhesur Doradh, aged 30, was attacked with cholera on the 13th, and died on the 14th of July, 1857. Had not been in hospital previously, and was employed in cleaning the jail.”
The post-mortem examination was made three hours after death:—“Colon externally livid, contracted; contains a little serous fluid with flakes of mucus. Mucous membrane healthy except venous injection. In the cæcum and ascending colon numerous parasites like tadpoles, alive, adhering to the mucous membrane by their mouths. The mucous membrane marked with numerous red spots like leech-bites from these parasites. The parasites found only in the cæcum and ascending colon, none in the small intestines.” This description is by Dr Simpson, who adds, “I have never seen such parasites, and apparently they are unknown to the natives. They are of a red colour, size of a tadpole, some young, others apparently full grown, alive, adhering to mucous membrane,—head round, with circular open mouth, which they had the power of dilating and contracting. Body short and tapering to a blunt point.”
Drs Lewis and McConnell’s description of the worm is too long to be quoted in full. The parasites measure 1/5″ to 1/3″ in length, by 1/8″ to 1/6″ in breadth. Science is much indebted to these eminent observers for having unearthed the museum specimens and for recording the facts they could gather. From a zoological point of view the most interesting fact connected with Lewis’s amphistome is the existence of a gastric pouch. This structure brings these human Masuri into close relation with the equine parasite which I have named Gastrodiscus Sonsinoii, and which will be found illustrated in this work (fig. [62]). In short, Lewis’s worm appears like a transition form; the absence of gastric supplementary suckerlets separating it from the new generic type.
Bibliography (No. 11).—Lewis, T. R., and McConnell, T. F. P., “Amph. hominis; a new parasite affecting Man,” ‘Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal,’ Aug., 1876.