CHAPTER XLII
II. PARASITES OF THE CONNECTIVE TISSUE
DRACUNCULUS MEDINENSIS, Velsch, 1674
Synonyms.—Vena medinensis; Dracunculus persarum; Gordius medinensis; Filaria dracunculus; F. medinensis; Guinea-worm.
Geographical distribution.— This important parasite is found in certain parts of India— the Deccan, Scinde, etc.— in Persia, Turkestan, Arabia, tropical Africa— particularly on the West Coast, and in a very limited part of Brazil (Feira de Santa Anna). Formerly it was supposed to be endemic in Curagoa, Demerara, and Surinam; apparently it has now disappeared from these places. Dracunculus is not equally diffused throughout this extensive area; it tends to special prevalence in limited districts, in some of which it is excessively common. In parts of the Deccan, for example, at certain seasons of the year nearly half the population is affected; and in places on the West Coast of Africa nearly every negro has one or more specimens about him. Although guinea-worm is sometimes seen in Europe, this is only in natives of, or in recent visitors from, the endemic areas. Though frequently introduced in this way, it has not become established either in Europe or in North America. We have no account of the parasite as endemic in any part of Asia east of Hindustan, in the Eastern Archipelago, in Australia, or in the Pacific islands.
Dracunculus medinensis has been reported for horses, oxen, dogs, wild cats, jackals, leopards, and other animals. Possibly some of the parasites in the lower animals described as guinea-worm may belong to quite a different species.
