Note 134 — PART II. OF DISEASES. (continued 5)

That worms exist in the human body there can be no doubt; and that they must sometimes be considered as a disease, is equally certain: but this is not the case so often as people imagine. The idea that worms occasion many diseases, gives an opportunity to the professed worm-doctors of imposing on the credulity of mankind, and doing much mischief. They find worms in every case, and liberally throw in their antidotes, which generally consist of strong, drastic purges. I have known these given in delicate constitutions to the destruction of the patient, where there was not the least symptom of worms.