[Tapeworms in the Netherlands]

Scientists have been discussing the nature of helminths, and particularly tapeworms, for ages. A synopsis of the ancient literature and literature of the Middle-Ages concerned with this subject is presented. Even today a number of remarkable stories about tapeworms is being told. One of them is that tapeworms do not occur in The Netherlands. The incidence of the tapeworm Taenia saginata in man in The Netherlands was carefully calculated from figures on cysterci observed in bovine carcases and estimates based on sales records of anthelmintics. It was concluded that tapeworms are relatively common (0,2-0,3%). The life cycle of Taenia saginata showed a remarkably constant pattern during the past twenty-five years.