In continuing this record it is, perhaps, as well that I should remind the members of the Section that the Cestodes differ essentially from the Trematodes in that the so-called species are multiple in character. What is spoken of as a tapeworm is not one creature, but in reality a multitude of organisms, or zooids, arranged in single file. The head itself is merely the topmost zooid, modified in shape. and armed with sucking disks, so as to form a means of anchorage for the whole colony. This cephalic holdfast, as it might be called, is in some sense the
counterpart of what we see not only in the fixed polypes, but also in the free compound madusæ. In carrying out the analogy it must net be forgotten that the solid hydrorhiza of an ordinary Sortularian polype was once a free swimming ciliated larva, whilst the inflated end of the cœnosare forming the float of Physalus had a similar origin. In all these cases the metamorphosis of a larva, either directly or indirectly, secures the formation of an organ of anchorage or support involving the welfare of the entire chain or colony of zooids. It is sufficient to insist upon the strict analogy of these phenomena without suggesting questions of
homology. An ordinary human tapeworm (such, for example, as that
derived from eating measled beef) consists of about twelve hundred
zoids, or proglottides. Each progloitis is bisexual, and, when mature, is capable of holding, according to Leuckart, about 35,000 eggs. The entire colony of twelve hundred zooids is renewed every three months, and thus if follows that the amount of egg-dispersion annually resulting from a single beef-tapeworm cannot be less than twelve millions. In all probability this calculation is very much below the mark, seeing that the 35,000 impregnated germs capable of existing in the fully mature proglottis, at a given period, do not by why means serve to fix the limit of the possibilities of egg-formation within the peoglotiis. Of course, as compared with the quantity of germs distributed, the number that survive and come to perfection, as Tæniæ, must be infinitesimally small.
Cestoda.
13.—Tænia mediocaneltata, Küchemeister.
Synonymy.—T. saginata, Gooze; T. dentata, Nicolai; T. inermis, Moquin-Tandon; Tæniorhynchus, Weinland.
Larvæ.—A simple Scolex, known as the beef muscle, (Cysticercus bovis, Cobbold.)
Intermediate Host.—The Ox, (Bus taurus,) and all its varieties, The cattle of the Punjab are largely infested. As many as 300 Cysticerci have been counted by Dr. Joseph Fleming in a pound of flesh taken from the psoas muscles.
Remarks.—This cestode, often called the beef tapeworm, is much more prevalent than the pork tapeworm. Taking all classes of infested persons together it probably occurs in about ninety per cent. Of the cases of tapeworm coming under my own observation not less than ninety-six per cent. have been of this species.
Experiments on Animals.—The larvæ have been reared in cattle by Leuckart, Mosler. Cobbold and Simonds, Probstmayer, Zurh, St. Cyr, Perroucita, and M.M. Masse and Pourquier. The measles are usually found in the voluntary muscles in the beast[2] and in the connective tissues. I have, however, twice found them in the liver and once in the lungs.
Experiments on Man.—Dr. Oliver reared the adult tapeworm in a Mahommedan Syce and in a Hindoo boy. Professor Perroncito recently persuaded Dr. Ragni, Mr, Gemelli, and others of his pupils "to swallow beef-measles which had been subjected to varying degrees of temperature (45°—47° C.) One of the students thus reared a mature Tænia within himself in fifty-four days.
Literature —Standard works; especially that of Leuckart. See also Cobbold; Tapeworms, (3rd edit.,) 1874, Porroncito; Experamenti, &c., Le Studente Vet., (Parma, 1876, p. 146.) and various papers In The Veterinarian, (July and December, 1877.) Masse et Pouquier in Montpellier Med. Journal Mensuel de Médicine, 1876. See also Heller, (quoted below.)
14.—Tænia solium, Linnæus.
Syn.—T. encurbitina, Pallas; T. humana armata, Brera, T. lata, Pinner: T. vulgaris, Werner.
Larvæ.—Simple scolex; familiarly known as the pork-measle, (Cysticercis cellulosæ of authors.)
Int. Host.—The Hog, (Sus scrofa,) both in the wild and domesticated state. As this measle also develops within the human body, man may himself become an intermediate bearer, and, by an act of cannibalism on the part of another man, prove a source of tapeworm-infection.
Remarks.—This cestode, though usually regarded as the common tapeworm, is comparatively rare in England. It is chiefly found amongst the poor, who are large consumers of pork which is often imperfectly cooked. In Iceland the pork tapeworm is rather more common than the beef tapeworm.
Experiments.—Pork-measles have been reared in the pig by Van Beneden, Haubner, Küchenmeister, Leuckart, Gerlach, and others, Küchenmeister likewise reared both mature and immature Tæniæ of this species in condemned criminals. Under Leuekart's auspices, several young persons voluntarily allowed themselves to become infested by swallowing fresh and living pork-measles.
Lit—The works of Leuckart and Küchenmeister; and also, more particularly, Heller's Darmschinarotzer, in Von Ziemssen's Handbuch, (Bd. VII, s. 601,) and in the Anglo-American Edit, Davaine, Les Cestoïdes, in Dictionnaire Encyclop. des Sciences Med. (New Edit.)
15.—Tænia tenella, Cobbold.
Syn.—None; but Pruner gave the title (T. tenella, to a worm, which was probably T. sotium.
Larvæ.—At present unknown, but conjectured to be the mutton-measle, (Cysticercus opis, Cobbold.)
Int. Host.—Probably the Sheep, (Ovis aries,) which is occasionally infested by armed Cysticerci.
Remarks.—On five separate occasions I have observed measles in joints of mutton brought to my own table, I have also several times encountered a very slender tapeworm in man, which is not improbably the adult representative of this Cysticereus. Examples of the mutton-measle have also been seen by Prof. Heisch, Dr. Kirk, and Dr. Maddox.
Experiments.—The only breeding experiment performed by me with this slender tapeworm was on a lamb (1872). The result
was negative.
Lit.—Cobbold; Tapeworms (3rd Edit.): and in Supp. to Entozoa, 1869 (p. 27). Maddox, On an Entozoon, with ova, found encysted
in the measles of a sheep; Nature, May 15th, 1878: Menth. Mier. Journ., June, 1873; Lond. Med. Record, Aug. 6th, 1873.
16.—Tænia lophosema, Cobbold.
Syn.—None. A malformed tapeworm, (Heller.)
Larva.—Unknown.
Remarks.—This a good species, notwithstanding the criticism that has been bestowed upon my determinations. It is quite distinct from Küchenmeister's variety from the Capo of Good Hope. The reproductive papillæ are placed all on one side of the strobile throughout.
Lit.—Cobbeld; Tapeworms. Davaine Les Cestoides, (l.c. p. 573.;) Heller, (l.c. s. 594.)
Remarks.—This little tapeworm has only once been found. It was discovered by Bilharz in an Egyptian boy in very large numbers,
The finest examples did not quite reach an inch in length.
18.—Tænia madagascariensis, Davaine.
Syn.—None.
Larva.—Unknown.
Remarks.—Discovered by Dr. Grenet (at Mayotte. Comores) to have passed from two young children. The reproductive pores are uniserially disposed, as in T. lophosema.
Lit—Davaine; Art. Les Cestoides (l.c. p. 577 et seq.)
Remarks.—This is a small worm which has only been once seen. It was obtained by Dr. Palmer, in America, from an infant. As
in T. lophosoma and T. madagascariensis, the reproductive papilla are uniserially arranged.
Lit.—Weinland; Tapeworms of Man, 1858, and in his Beschreibung zweier neuer Tanioiden aus dem Menschen, 1861.
This work was published before January 1, 1930, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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↑Read before the Microscopical Section of the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society, March 19th, 1878. Mr. Hughes, on Dr. Cobbald's behalf, exhibited the following specimens—The beef tapeworm, (Tænia medicanellata,) and its measle, (Cysticereus bovis,) the pork-tapeworm, (T. solium,) and its measle (Cyst. celludosæ.) from the human brain; the slender tapeworm, (T. tenella) the ridged tapeworm. (T. lophosum,} the dwarf tapeworm from Egypt, (T. nana) and the elliptic tapeworm, (T. ellitica.)
↑An erratum on page 118 reads "For 'muscles in the beast and in the connective tissues,' read 'muscles in the heart, and in the connective tissues.' (Wikisource contributor note)
