Parasitic diseases

Hookworms

Hookworm is an intestinal parasite of humans that causes mild diarrhea and abdominal pain. Heavy infection with hookworm can create serious health problems for newborns, children, pregnant women, and persons who are malnourished. Hookworm infections occur mostly in tropical and subtropical climates. In 2006, the estimated number of person infected with hookworm was 1.6 billion.

If you look at the picture above you will notice that the head of the Hookworm is shaped like a tiny goblet with three sets of teeth. The goblet-shaped mouth is very hard and resists collapse as the worm sucks. The Hookworm grasps onto the inner surface of the small intestine with the teeth and then pierces a blood vessel. An anti-coagulant saliva-like substance is released which prevents the blood from clotting. Each hookworm can suck 0.1cc of blood per day. If they release the wound continues to bleed.

Signs may include any or all of the following: Inapparent infestations; nonspecific diarrhea; dark black (tarry) diarrhea; bloody diarrhea; vomiting; poor or no appetite, pale mucous membranes in the mouth and generalized pallor; weakness, emaciation and poor growth. Anemia can be so severe as to cause death.

Pioneers in Medicine

Claudius Galenius

Claudius Galenius is universally acclaimed as one of the greatest physicians of ancient times.

He was the leading medical authority of the Christian world until the 16th century. He is especially notable because he derived his data from experiments and is now regarded as the father of experimental physiology.

Although his observations were generally accurate, because he was allowed to dissect only animals, his statements about humans based on these dissections inevitably contained inaccuracies which were accepted for centuries afterwards. He was the author of 83 treatises; his writings summarized the anatomical knowledge of the time. His work includes descriptions of about 300 muscles and the principal parts of the brain. He also described the treatment of fractures, dislocations, methods of amputation, and the resection of bones. In his practice he used sutures and ligatures, astringents, and cautery. Finally, Galen believed in the curative powers of plants; he used over 500 plant derivatives in his medicinal preparations.

the dis·sec·tor

the dis·sec·tor : cutting utensil used to separate into pieces or to expose the several parts of (as an animal or a cadaver) for scientific examination.

the dis·sec·tor will touch on everything under the topic of medicine.

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the dis·sec·tor will decorticate all your questions.