Where There Is No Doctor 2011 143
Tapeworm
In the intestines tapeworms grow several meters
long. But the small, flat, white pieces
(segments) found in the feces
are usually about 1 cm.
long. Occasionally a
segment may crawl out by
itself and be found in the
underclothing.
egg
cyst
People get tapeworms
from eating pork (pig meat),
beef (cow meat) or other meat or
fish that is not well cooked.
adult
tapeworm
segments
Prevention: Be careful that all meat is well cooked, especially pork. Make sure
no parts in the center of roasted meat or cooked fish are still raw.
cysts
When a person eats poorly cooked
meat, the cysts become tapeworms
in his intestines.
The cysts may cause
headaches, seizures,
or death.
The worm eggs
the pig has
eaten form cysts
in the meat.
Eggs that enter the person’s
mouth from his feces, through
lack of cleanliness, can form
cysts in his brain.
adult
tape
worm
The pig eats the eggs
in the man’s stools.
eggs segments
Effect on health: Tapeworms in the intestines sometimes cause mild stomach
aches, but few other problems.
The greatest danger exists when the cysts (small sacs containing baby worms)
get into a person’s brain. This happens when the eggs pass from his stools to his
mouth. For this reason, anyone with tapeworms must follow the guidelines of
cleanliness carefully—and get treatment as soon as possible.
Treatment: Take niclosamide (Yomesan, p. 375), or praziquantel (p. 375). Follow
instructions carefully.