Some parasites are so strictly confined to one species of host that, even when artificially introduced into animals very closely related to their normal host, they do not thrive, but sooner or later, often very quickly, die off, and very rarely establish themselves. For example, repeated attempts have been made to rear the adult Tænia solium in the dog, or to rear Cysticercus cellulosæ in the ox, or the Cysticercus of Tænia saginata in the pig, but they have always proved unsuccessful. Only exceptionally has it been possible to transfer Cœnurus cerebralis, the larval stage of a tapeworm (Tænia cœnurus) of the dog from the brain of the sheep to that of the domestic goat. On the other hand, in the case of the Trichinellæ transference to a different host is easily accomplished.
Under natural conditions, it is not uncommon for certain kinds of specific parasites to occur occasionally in unusual hosts. Their relationship to the latter is that of INCIDENTAL PARASITES. Thus Echinorhynchus gigas, a specific parasite of the pig, is only an incidental parasite of man; Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocœlium lanceatum are specific to numerous kinds of mammals, but may be found incidentally in man. On the other hand, Dibothriocephalus latus, a specific parasite of man, may occasionally take up its abode in the dog, cat and fox. As a rule, all those parasites of man that are only rarely met with, notwithstanding that human beings are constantly being observed and examined by medical men, are termed INCIDENTAL PARASITES OF MAN. In many cases we are acquainted with the normal or specific host of these parasites. Thus we know the specific host of Balantidium coli, Eimeria stiedæ, Fasciola hepatica, Dipylidium caninum, etc.; in others the host is as yet unknown. In the latter case the question partly relates to such forms as have been so deficiently described that their recognition is impossible, partly to parasites of man in various regions of the earth, the Helminthes and parasites of which are totally unknown or only slightly known, or finally to early developmental stages that are difficult to identify. Animals that usually live free, and exceptionally become parasitic, may likewise be called incidental parasites. In this category are included a few Anguillulidæ that have been observed in man; also Leptodera appendiculata, which usually lives free, but may occasionally become parasitic in black slugs (Arion empiricorum): when parasitic it attains a larger size, and produces far more eggs than when living a free life. In order to avoid errors, the term “incidental parasites” should be confined to true parasites which, besides living in their normal host, may also live in other hosts. Leuckart speaks of FACULTATIVE PARASITISM in such forms as Leptodera. L. Oerley3 succeeded in artificially causing Leptodera (Rhabditis) pellio to assume facultative parasitism by introducing these worms into the vagina of mice, where the parasites remained alive and multiplied. Leptodera pellio dies in the intestines of mammals and man; it remains alive in frogs, but always escapes into the open with the fæces.
Recently the incidental parasites of man have also been called “Pseudo-parasites” or “Pseudo-helminthes.” Formerly, however, these terms were applied not only to living organisms that do not and cannot live parasitically, and that only exceptionally and incidentally get into man, but also to any foreign bodies, portions of animals and plants, or even pathological formations that left the human system through the natural channels, and the true nature of which was misunderstood. Frequently these bodies were described as living or dead parasites and labelled with scientific names, as if they were true parasites. A study of these errors, which formerly occurred very frequently, would be as interesting as it would be instructive. It is better not to use the expression pseudo-parasites for incidental parasites, but to keep to the original meaning, for it is not at all certain that pseudo-parasites are not described, even nowadays.
The Influence of Parasites on the Host.—In a great many cases, we are not in a position to state anything regarding any marked influence exercised by the parasite on the organism, and on the conditions of life, of the host. Most animals and many persons exhibit few signs of such influence, an exception being infestation with helminthes and certain other parasites which produce eosinophilia in the blood. As a general rule, the parasite, which is always smaller and weaker than its host, does not attempt to endanger the life of the latter, as simultaneously its own existence would be threatened. The parasite, of course, robs its host, but usually in a scanty and sparing manner, and the injuries it inflicts can hardly be taken into account. There are, however, numerous cases4 in which the situation of the parasites or the nature of their food, added to their number and movements, may cause more or less injury, and even threaten the life of the host. It stands to reason that a Cysticercus cellulosæ situated in the skin is of but slight importance, whereas one that has penetrated the eye or the brain must give rise to serious disorders. A cuticular or intestinal parasite is, as a rule, less harmful than a blood parasite. A helminth, such as an Ascaris lumbricoides or a tapeworm, that feeds on the residues of foodstuffs within the intestine, will hardly affect its host by depriving it of this material. The case is different when the parasites are very numerous, especially when the heavily infested host happens to be a young individual needing all it ingests for its own requirements, and therefore unable to sustain the drain of numerous intruders in the intestine. Disturbances also set in more rapidly when the intestinal helminthes are blood-suckers, the injury to the host resulting from the kind of food taken by the parasite.
Generally, the disorders caused by loss of chyle are insignificant when compared with those induced by the GROWTH and agglomeration of the helminthes. The latter may cause chiefly obstructions of small vessels or symptoms of pressure in affected or contiguous organs, with all those complications which may arise secondarily, or they may even lead to the complete obliteration of the organ invaded. Of course the symptoms will vary according to the nature of the organ attacked.
In consequence also of the MOVEMENTS of the parasites, disorders are set up that may tend to serious pathological changes of the affected organs. The collective migrations, undertaken chiefly by the embryos of certain parasites (as in trichinosis, acute cestode tuberculosis), are still more harmful, as are also the unusual migrations of other parasites, which, incidentally, may lead to the formation of so-called worm abscesses or to abnormal communications (fistulæ) between organs that are contiguous but possess no direct connection.
Recently, several authors have called attention to the fact that the helminthes produce substances that are TOXIC to their host; and the effects of such poisons explain the pathology of helminthiasis far more satisfactorily than the theory of reflex action.
In a number of cases these toxic materials (leucomaines) have been isolated and their effects on living organisms demonstrated by actual experiments. It also appears that the absorption of materials formed by the decomposition of dead helminthes may likewise cause toxic effects. However, our knowledge of these conditions is as yet in its initial stage.5
Nearly all the symptoms caused directly or indirectly by parasites are of such a nature that the presence of the parasites cannot be diagnosed with any certainty, or only very rarely. The most that can be done is to deduce the presence of parasites by the exclusion of other causes. Fortunately, however, there are sufficient means by which we may confirm the diagnosis in a great many cases. Such means consist not only in a minute examination of the patient by palpation, percussion and local inspection, but also in the microscopical examination of the natural secretions and excretions of the body, such as sputum, nasal mucus, urine and fæces. Though such examinations may entail loss of time, they are necessary in the interest of the patient. It appears, moreover, that quackery, which has gained considerable ground even in the treatment of the helminthic diseases of man, can thus be considerably limited.
Origin of Parasites.6—In former times, when the only correct views that existed related to the origin of the higher animals, the mode of multiplication of parasites as well as of other lowly animals was ascribed to SPONTANEOUS GENERATION (generatio æquivoca), and this opinion prevailed throughout the middle ages. The writers on natural science merely devoted their time to the interpretation of the views of the old authors, and perpetuated the opinions of the ancients on questions, which, even in those days, could have been correctly explained merely by observation.
It was only when observations were again recommenced, and the microscope was invented, that the idea of spontaneous