When the English were bitten by parasitic worms

Infections caused by parasitic worms have largely disappeared from European countries. But this is not always the case. A few centuries ago, these parasites wreaked havoc among our English neighbors.

Worm infections Parasites They no longer spread to Europe. That makes no senseThey have completely disappearedBut they are exceptional and often these parasites still concern people in countries where they are endangered – especially under Tropics.

This is not always the case, and there are times when Europeans are attacked by worms. English researchers tried to go back in time Thanks to the isolation of parasitic eggs Graves Man. A total of 17 historical sites covering five periods of history were analyzed: Prehistoric, Roman (I)^Er In V^And Century), Anglo-Saxon period (v^And To^And Century), medieval (XI^And 16th^And Century) and the beginning of the industrial era (XVIII^And 19th^And Century). L ‘Analogy The actual spread of parasitic infections in populations at different times is not possible from these analyzes, although they do make it possible to imagine the health conditions in which these people lived.

History of parasitic infections in the UK

Collected eggs belong to two Species Of நூற்புழு, Ascaris sp. And Trichuris sp., and two types of chestnuts, Dania spp and Diplophotrium latte. The nematodes mainly infect humans by contact with contaminated feces, while chestnuts are present in food – meat or Fish – Can be eaten raw or undercooked.

Parasites have been identified for all time periods, but with major differences. After all, Ascaris Very common. It is isolated from almost 40% of the sites from the Roman period and from 30% of the sites from the Middle Ages. These results contradict existence TrichurisHowever, it spreads in the same way, but it is absent from sites of the Roman period and less than 10% of the sites of the Middle Ages. As for the chestnuts, the tapeworm is very common, especially in prehistoric and medieval burrows.

It looks likeAscaris Preference is given to children up to 12 years of age in the Middle Ages, regardless of gender. Decisions for other periods and other parasites are not strong enough to make any decision.

The decline of parasites in the industrial era

By the beginning of the industrial era, parasites caused by nematodes were greatly reduced. In two of the three sites examined from this time on, parasitic eggs, if any, were found to be very rare. Researchers point out that health facilities are improving but use is declining Night soil – Human feces collected in toilets and Other personal toilets Sold as compost from 1830-1860.

The prevalence of parasites in history is still a matter of little study, but it is not uncommon for intestinal worms to abound in Europe a few centuries ago.