Taenia solium

“ A single root often contains as many as fifty million of these parasites.
The larva of the tapeworm known as Tænia solium comes from "measly" pork, and the mature worm has a head bearing a crown of hooks. Tænia mediocanellata is derived from beef and mutton; it has a larger head, which is unarmed. It has commonly been supposed that the former species is more frequently found in human subjects than the latter, but Professor Leidy is of the contrary opinion. Thorough cooking of meats is a sure preventive of the development of these unwelcome entozoa. ”

“ The oncospheres occasionally also possess more than six hooklets. Very slender specimens have led to the description of a particular species or variety (T. tenella) .
Fig. 235.—Two fairly mature proglottids of Tænia solium, showing ovaries (one bi-lobed) , vitellaria, central uterine stem, cirrus and vas deferens (above) , vagina (below) , testes (scattered) , longitudinal and transverse excretory vessels.
Fig. 236.—Head of Tænia solium. 45/1.
In its fully developed condition T. solium is found exclusively in man ”

“ Though commonly spoken of as a single creature, it is a compound of many individuals. These are variously called “cucurbitini,” “zooids,” “proglottides,” “segments,” “links,” or “joints.” When fully grown the segments are capable of detaching themselves and of enjoying a free and independent existence. Very annoying it is to the human bearer to be continually reminded of his unwelcome “guests” as they seek to quit his interior.
The head of Tænia solium is seldom seen in anatomical museums, although the evacuation of pork tapeworms is not of rare occurrence. ”

“ Tænia solium, Linneus.—This cestode was formerly known as the common tapeworm, but in England it is of far less frequent occurrence than the beef tapeworm. In contradistinction it is best to speak of it as the pork tapeworm. Though only one specimen is usually present, the bearer may entertain several worms of this species at one and the same time. The parasite has been known to science from the earliest times, though possibly not earlier than the measles, or Cysticerci, from which it originates. Hippocrates, Pliny, and Aristotle describe the full-grown worm ”

“ The Bothriocephalus latus and the Tænia solium, are two kinds of tape-worm, which flourish in the human intestines; producing great constitutional disturbances, sometimes ending in insanity; and from the germs of the Tænia, when carried into other parts of the body, arise certain partially-developed forms known as Cysticerci, Echinococci, and Cœnuri, which cause disorganization more or less extensive in the brain, the lungs, the liver, the heart, the eye, &c., often ending fatally after long-continued suffering. ”

“ As the mature tapeworm frequently finds the conditions suitable for its development in only one species of host, or in species nearly related, and perishes when artificially introduced into other hosts, experiment has taught us that to succeed in cultivating the oncospheres certain species of animals are necessary. Thus we are aware that the oncospheres of Tænia solium, which lives in the intestine of man, develop only in the pig, and only quite exceptionally develop into the stage characteristic of all Cestodes—the cysticercus in the wide sense of the word—in a few other mammals. ”

“ Even more disastrous may be the result, should some ripe joints of a mature worm work their way from the intestine back towards the stomach. Should this happen (and though it has not been directly proved, the possibility is to be reckoned with) , the result would be the release of vast numbers of embryos capable of inflicting fatal injury on the host. An abnormal Cysticercus of this species is probably the Taenia {80} (Cysticercus) acanthotrias Weinl. (see, however, Leuckart, loc. cit. p. 711) .
Taenia (Hymenolepis) nana v. Sieb. ”

“ Tænia tenella, Cobbold.—I have long been acquainted with the fact that there is a comparatively small human tapeworm which cannot be referred to either of the foregoing species. In the absence of experimental proof, I incline to the belief that the worm in question owes its existence to measly mutton. The sheep harbours an armed Cysticercus (C. ovis) , which I regard as the scolex of Tænia tenella. The specific name (tenella) was originally applied by Pruner to a cestode six feet in length, which he found associated with a larger tapeworm. This latter he called Tænia lata. ”

“ A model of the anterior end of the common Tapeworm shows the four suckers and the crown of hooks; the unjointed neck is followed by the joints (proglottids) , which increase in size the farther they are from the neck. Several entire specimens of Tænia follow, showing the size of the whole worm and the form of its joints. The structure of the body is shown in the models of two joints. The growth and development of the Tapeworm is dependent on a migration or a change of the hosts which it inhabits in the various stages of its life ”

“ If the taenia be drawn to one side the hippocampal fissure is exposed, at the bottom of which the grey matter of the gyrus hippocampi may be seen to form a well-defined dentated border (the so-called fascia dentala) . The choroid plexus of the pia mater turns round the gyrus hippocampi, and enters the descending cornu through the lateral part of the great transverse fissure between the taenia hippocampi and optic thalamus. The lateral ventricle is lined by a ciliated epithelium called the ependyma. ”

“ The ovum segments to form a minute six-hooked larva, which may (Bothriidae, Fig. 42) or may not (Taeniidae) be ciliated. Thus in Taenia serrata the proglottides are shed with the faeces of the host (dog) , and they protect the young from the desiccating influence of the surroundings. If inadvertently eaten by a rabbit along with herbs, the proglottis and larval envelope are digested, and by its six hooks the tiny larva bores through the gastric wall into the portal vein, and so into the liver. Here the hooks are thrown off, and the solid mass of cells becomes vacuolated.
{88}
Fig. ”

“ The tapeworms of the horse are of great interest practically. Excluding Sander’s Tænia zebræ, which was doubtless T. plicata, at least five species have been described, but they may probably be all reduced to two distinct forms and their varieties. Whilst Tænia plicata acquires a length of three feet, the strobile of T. perfoliata never exceeds five inches. The lobes at the base of the head in the latter are distinctive. The former is usually confined to the small intestine, but the perfoliate worm often occupies the cæcum and colon in great numbers. ”

“ Into the blackest depths of Hades the sounds sped on their way, and the hands of Time stood still. From his bitter task of trying to quaff the stream that ever receded from the parched and burning lips, Tantalus ceased for a moment. The ceaseless course of Ixion's wheel was stayed, the vulture's relentless beak no longer tore at the Titan's liver; Sisyphus gave up his weary task of rolling the stone and sat on the rock to listen, the Danaïdes rested from their labour of drawing water in a sieve. ”

“ God only knows how deep and genuine were my pity and affection for the poor Tannese, labouring and longing to bring them from their dark idolatry and heathenism to love and serve and please Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour. ”

“ Drag Tainui till she reaches the sea:{20} But who shall drag her hence? What sound comes from the horizon? The Earth is lighting up, The Heavens arise, In company with the feeble ones Welcome hither! Come, O joyous Tane! Thou leader and provider. Here are the skids laid to the sea, And drops the moisture now from Marama, Caused by the gentle breeze Which blows down from Wai-hi; But still Tainui stays, And will not move. Red, red is the sun, Hot, hot are its rays, And still impatient stands the host: Take ye and hold the rope, And drag with flashing eyes And drag in concert all. ”

“ The natural man, whom the Revolution discovered and brought to the surface, is, according to Taine, a vicious and destructive brute, not to be tolerated unless caught young, and perseveringly disciplined and controlled.
Taine is not a historian, but a pathologist, and his work, the most scientific we possess, and in part the most exhaustive, is not history. By his energy in extracting formulas and accumulating knowledge, by the crushing force with which he masses it to sustain conclusions, he is the strongest Frenchman of his time, and his indictment is the weightiest that was ever drawn up. ”

“ He considers everything as a mathematical problem, whether it be the universe or a work of art: "C'cst beau comme un syllogisme," he said of a sonata of Beethoven. Taine's theory of the universe, his doctrine, his method of writing criticism and history, his philosophical system, are all the result of this logical gift, this passion for reasoning, classification and abstraction. But Taine's imaginative quality was as remarkable as his power of logic; hence the most satisfactory definition of Taine's predominating faculty would be one which comprehended the two gifts. ”

“ Copeland and myself from Tanna to the Church at home, the following statements occur:—
"We found the Tannese to be painted Savages, enveloped in all the superstition and wickedness of Heathenism. All the men and children go in a state of nudity. The older women wear grass skirts, and the young women and girls, grass or leaf aprons like Eve in Eden. They are exceedingly ignorant, vicious, and bigoted, and almost void of natural affection. ”

“ Knowing how meanly the Tannese treated the Spirits whom they worshiped in Heathenism,—giving them the scraggiest fish, the poorest bananas, and the smallest yams,—we rejoiced in this Christian liberality!!"
Referring to exaggerated Newspaper rumors she says: "Tanna bulks largely in some minds, though it is only a small Island, a little larger than Arran! We had noticed that our Civil War was telegraphed not only to the Australian papers, but to San Francisco, and even to the London Standard. We have been receiving letters of condolence from friends, who think our lives in danger!" ”

“ Every branch that produceth not fruit in me, he taketh it: and that which giveth fruit, [19] he cleanseth it, that it may give much fruit. [24] Ye are already clean because of the word [20] that I have spoken unto you. [25] Abide in me, and I in you. And as the branch of the [Arabic, p. 175] vine cannot produce fruit of itself, if it be not abiding in the vine; so too ye [21] also, if ye abide not in me. [26] I am the vine, and ye are the branches: He then that abideth in me, and I in him, he giveth much fruit: for without me ye cannot [22] do anything. ”

“ Sometimes the existence of the tapeworm in man is restricted to the alimentary tract and the symptoms vary from trivial to severe, but sometimes (Tenia solium) the larval stage of the tapeworm invades the tissues and becomes encysted in various organs (brain, eye, etc.) , where, as in the case of cerebral infection, it may result fatally. The encysted larva of Tenia solium [p.83] was at one time regarded as an independent animal species and named Cysticercus cellulosae. The condition known as "measly pork" is produced by the occurrence of this encysted parasite. ”

“ Taine’s influence was great, and twofold. On his own generation it was considerable; during the epoch in which he lived, while a wave of pessimism was sweeping over French literature, he was the high priest of the cult of misanthropy, in which even science was held to be but an idol, worthy of respect and devotional service, but not of faith. In its turn came the reaction against positivism and pessimism, and an attempt at spiritual renascence. Around a man so remarkable as Taine a school is certain to form itself ”

“ Still we trust that the cloud which has so long enveloped Tanna will soon be rolled away, and the light of the Sun of Righteousness irradiate this dark land. We have been here about two months, and so far the people among whom we live appear to be friendly. A numerous priesthood reside in the neighbourhood of the Volcano, from whom we anticipate much opposition, as they know that wherever the Missionary gains a footing among the people, their influence is lost. The Tannese are very avaricious. If one renders the least assistance, he demands a most exorbitant pay ”

“ He and his brother were the recognised leaders in all deeds of darkness; they gloried in bloodshedding, and in war, and in cannibalism; and they could always command a following of desperate men, who lived in or about their own village, and who were prepared to go anywhere and do anything at Miaki’s will.
The Tannese had hosts of stone idols, charms, and sacred objects, which they abjectly feared, and in which they devoutly believed. They were given up to countless superstitions, and firmly glued to their dark heathen practices. ”

“ There is very little tatooing among the Tahitians—a few leggings—blue devices about the neck—rings on fingers or toes, but never a mark on the face. As civilization advances, they acquire a distaste for these heathenish skin-paintings. However, I must not lose sight of Toanni. She had a firm, well-knit frame—wide mouth, fine, brilliant teeth, intended for service—such as cracking flinty ship-biscuits, or wrenching husks from cocoanuts—large, mirthsome, dark eyes, with but one flaw to their beauty, which she enjoyed alike with all the Pacific Islanders—the whites of the eyes were yellow! ”

“ Tanning Materials.—Tannin or tannic acid is abundantly formed in a very large number of plants, and secreted in such diverse organs and members as the bark, wood, roots, leaves, seed-pods, fruit, &c. The number of tannins which exists has not been determined, nor has the constitution of those which do exist been satisfactorily settled. ”