Abstract
Ascariasis is a condition which has been recognized since the earliest medical times, and although it may cause little apparent disturbance the parasites are always a potential source of danger from migration into the various body cavities, from mechanical obstruction of ducts, the air passages, or the intestines, and from chemical intoxication. Between the latitudes of 35° North and 30° South there is a belt of ascariasis around the entire world. In the rural population of certain states of this country which lie in this belt, there is an incidence in certain areas as high as 48%, 1 while in other countries, such as China, as many as 90% of the population of certain regions have been found to be infested with these parasites. A great many substances and concoctions have been used for the removal of these worms, but they have all proven to be either inactive or dangerous. The two in most common use at present are Santonin and Oil of Chenopodium (or its active principle, Ascaridol). Both of these substances have been given to many thousands of patients without intoxication. On the other hand many sudden unexplained deaths have followed their use, which makes it impossible to predict what will be the outcome of their administration. Carbon tetrachloride and tetrachlorethylene, which are both very efficient against hookworm, are relatively ineffective against ascaris and may cause dangerous migration of these parasites. 2 We have, therefore, no safe or effective means of removing ascaris. On this account a search for a non-toxic ascaricide was begun several years ago in this laboratory, and a great number of experiments have been carried out on the physiology and pharmacology of this parasite.
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