Chinese Medical Journal

26 THE CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL

recommended, as it is more effective than the whole kernels taken by mastication.

Roasted pumpkin seeds known as “white seed” sold at the grocers are very suitable for the purpose. In country places seeds from the pumpkin fruit may be used raw or after roasting,

The results of treatment showed that pumpkin seed kernels taken by mastication together with decoction of areca nut at the same time are less effective. Better results are obtained when pumpkin seeds are taken first and allowed to act in the intestine for two to three hours, followed by an areca nut decoction.

/ Basing on the above results, we recommend that the treatment should be as follows:

1. Pumpkin seeds. In towns or cities, roasted pumpkin seeds may be easily purchased, while in the country seeds are obtained from the pumpkin fruit. The dosage should be whole seeds 2.5-4 lang or about 80-125 gm (equal to kernels 50-90 gm).* After the husks are removed the kernels are ground into fine powder. The powder is taken direct or after being boiled in a small amount of water. Pumpkin seeds are nontoxic and a larger amount may be taken without harm.

2. Areca nut. The dosage should be 30-100 gm, 30 gm or less for children under 10 years and 50-60 gm for adult patients of light build and 80 gm for patients of heavy build. A dosage of 100 gm used only in exceptionally heavy patients. A dosage over 100 gm does not always increase the rate of cure and is therefore unnecessary. Areca nut slices obtainable from Chinese drugstores are suitable for the purpose. They should be boiled in 500 ce water for about one hour when the decoction is reduced to 150-200 ce. After filtration, the decoction is ready for use. The decoction has a strong bitter and astringent taste and is to a certain extent irritant to the stomach. When desired, it may be titrated with a 2.5 per cent gelatin sclution to remove the tannin. The solution is then filtered and the amber colored filtrate is reduced to its original volume of 150-200 ce by heating.

3. The purgative. A purgative with rapid action is preferred. Saline purgative such as magnesium sulphate is suitable. The normal dosage is 60 ce of a 56 per cent solution.

4. Procedure of treatment. Start the treatment in the morning on an empty stomach. First take the pumpkin seed powder, two hours later the areca nut decoction, and another half an hour later the purgative. Bowel movement usually takes place within three hours after the commencement of the treatment. The tapeworm may be passed out during the first, second or the third bowel movement. Therefore, if the treatment starts at 7 a.m., by 12 noon the treatment may be concluded. As soon as the worm is

* Sixteen liang=1 catty and 1 catty=500 gem, thus 1 liang=about 30 em.