p. 15 | Medical Question Corner by Dr. P. S. Bourdeau-Sisco

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 1, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 5.

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Medical Question Corner

By Dr. P. S. Bourdeau-Sisco

Answers by Dr. P. S. Bourdeau-Sisco, head lady physician of the Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium.

Intestinal Worms

Tapeworm

“A person is passing what looks like segments of a tapeworm in the stools. How may it be removed? E. M.”

TREATMENT.—For two days before the medicine is administered, the patient should be given a light diet. On the second day omit the evening meal and give a thorough laxative at night, following this in the morning by oleoresin of male fern, one-half grain. Give this in four doses one hour apart. Two hours after the last dose is given, administer a dose of salts. Only milk should be taken during this day. All stools should be carefully examined to see that the head has been expelled. If this does not come away, the links will form in a short time again. This course of treatment may have to be repeated more than once before the head is secured. The head is

no larger than a pin-head, is round, and is connected with the first segment of the body by a narrow neck. It is very important that the stomach should be empty before the male fern is administered, and that this should be followed by a vigorous purging. Do not use castor-oil for this purpose.

Roundworm

“My little girl is troubled with roundworms. Please tell me how they may be removed permanently. E. R. S.”

TREATMENT.—These worms are from five to ten inches in length. Children from three to ten years of age are most likely to have them. The medicine most successfully used is santonin, two or three grains for an adult and one-half grain to three grains for a child. Follow by a dose of salts. This treatment may be repeated three or four days in succession.

Pinworm, or Threadworm

“My neighbor’s child has pinworms. Will you please tell me what to do for her? H. R. R.”

TREATMENT.—While this is considered a simple condition, it is sometimes difficult to reach these worms. The reason for this is that the condition has been allowed to go on until the whole colon is infected. The upper part of the colon is hard to reach with medicinal injections. Absolute cleanliness is essential in the treatment of these cases. After each stool the anus should be carefully washed with soap and water and one-per-cent solution of lysol or a weak solution of bichlorid of mercury. For the itching apply mercury ointment at bedtime. This usually relieves the symptom. Thoroughly wash out the colon by using lukewarm water containing one teaspoonful of boracic acid to a pint of water; after which, use an injection of bichlorid of mercury, one to ten thousand. Inject at least one-half pint of this bichlorid solution as high in the bowel as possible, using a high bowel catheter, and retain the medicine as long as possible. This treatment should be repeated every second or third night. If the worms are high up in the bowel, sometimes it is necessary to use medicines by mouth, such as Epsom salts, and simple bitters which will assist in eradicating them. One should be very persistent in this treatment, and be very sure that the worms are all out of the bowel; for if any remain, they multiply rapidly, and in a short time the condition will be as bad as it was in the beginning.