VERXIFIIGES, VERMICIDES, or AziTnELNimics, are remedies which possess the property of destroying intestinal worms, or of expelling them from the digestive canaL The only worms whose presence in the intestinal canal is so Common, that the remedies for their destruction and expulsion require special notice, are the two varieties of tape worm known as ken& solium and tania mediocanellata, or the hooked and the hookless tapeworm (q.v.), the asearis luntbricoides or large round worm, and the means or oxyuria vermicularis, or small threadworm. A few of this class of medicines are said to be useful in destroying all these kinds of worms—viz., the tapeworms, the round worms, and the threadworms. In this category, we may place absinthium, or wormwood, whose effects are doubtful; sabadilla, or cevadilla; santonica, or worm-seed, and its active principle, santonin (q.v.); and oil of turpentine. As in our notices of the different human en tozoa, we have referred to this article for the appropriate treatment of each, we will commence, in consequence of its greater importance, with the remedies that have been recommended in tapeworm, ranging them according to the repute in which they stand. , (1) The root of the male shield-fern (aspidium fclix mas), of which the best preparation is the " liquid extract of fern-root" of the- Pharm. Br. It may. be taken in the morning before break fast, in doses of about a scruple, in the form of an emulsion with yelk of egg, syrup of orange-peel, and water; and if the worm does not come away in six hours, a brisk purr gative,should be administered.- Generally, however, it is expelled by a single dose, in the mass, and without pain or much uneasiness. (2) Cusso or koitsso, the flowers of brayera anthelmintka,, in doses of from half-an-ounce to an ounce of the flowers (infused for a quarter of an hour in ten ounces of lukewarm water and a little lemon-juice), or of four ounces of the infusion of the Pliarm. Br., and following in four hours, if it has not
acted, by a dose of castor oil, is a safe and very sure remedy. , (3) Decoction of the bark of the root of the pomegranate tree (granati radix). (4) Oil of turpentine (q.v.); and besides these, which are the best remedies, the seeds of the common pumpkin (cucurbita pcpo); kamela, the powder adhering to the capsules of rottlera tinctoria; santonine, etc., have found their advocates. All these medicines should be taken fasting, or after a light supper on the previous evening.
Foremost among the remedies for pscaris lumbricoides, Dr. Cobbold places santonine (q.v.); but kamela is also very efficacious in doses of from one to two drams every four hours. Dr. Waring in his Maleria Medica gives a long list of remedies employed with success in the east, but unknown in this country.. Ascaris ve•micularis, or the thread worm is more successfully attacked locally in the rectum by injection, than by medicines administered in the method. Among the best forms of enemata are half a dram of tincture of sesquichloride of iron in a little gruel, retained in the bowel as long as possible, or injections of salt and water, or of infusion of quassia. As an internal remedy, santonine is the best. The most annoying symptom occasioned by these worms the intense itching about the lower part of the bowel, especially in the evening and at night, is best relieved by the introduction of a little mercurial ointment within the verge of the anus when the patient retires to rest.