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BILHARZIOSIS

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Originally appearing in Volume V03, Page 932 of the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.
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BILHARZIOSIS . In various parts of See also:

Africa the inhabitants are liable to suffer from a See also:form of endemic haematuria caused by the presence of a See also:parasite in the mucous membrane of the urinary passages. This parasite was discovered in 1852 by Bilharz, and hence is generally known as Bilharzia, though it has been more scientifically named Schistosoma haematobium. The See also:condition to which it gives rise is that of bilharziosis. (For description and See also:life See also:history of the parasite see See also:TREMATODES.) In See also:man the parasites and ova have been found in the See also:minute See also:veins of the See also:bladder, ureter and See also:pelvis of the See also:kidney (more rarely in other See also:organs), where they infest the mucous and submucous tissues. In an affected bladder the mucous membrane presents swollen vascular patches of taxying See also:size, or warty prominences on which the urinary salts may be deposited. The ova often serve as a See also:nucleus for urinary calculi. Similar changes may take See also:place in the ureter, and the consequent swelling See also:lead to obstruction to the passage of urine, and if See also:left untreated to pyelitis and pyonephrosis. If the rectum be affected the mucous membrane becomes thickened, polypoid growths form and large submucous haemorrhages may take place. As to the mode of entrance of this parasite See also:opinion is divided. Some authorities favour the view that the entrance is through the skin, urethra or rectum, the result of bathing in infected See also:water; others that it is taken by the mouth in water or uncooked See also:fish. The symptoms to which it gives rise are haematuria, See also:pain in the perineal region and a greater or less degree of See also:anaemia through loss of See also:blood.

If the disease continue, cystitis and its consequent See also:

train of symptoms ensue (see BLADDER AND See also:PRO-See also:STATE DISEASES). If the rectum be affected there is considerable See also:discharge of mucus, and later prolapsus See also:ani may be the result. But the symptoms vary to a remarkable extent, from the slightest producing but little discomfort, to the most severe resulting in See also:death. The liquid See also:extract of male See also:fern is the only See also:drug used with much success. The symptoms caused by the parasite must be treated as they arise. Polypoid growths of the rectum must be surgically treated.

End of Article: BILHARZIOSIS

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