guy Posted January 2, 2022 Report Share Posted January 2, 2022 (edited) Through genetic and microscopic analysis, we are better able to examine the contents of the latrines of Vindolanda. Not surprising, the inhabitants there had intestinal parasites, including tapeworms and whipworms. Here is an excellent article from a few years back describing the research. (Image of roundworm found during endoscopic exam) Quote “In the soil collected from the drain at Vindolanda eggs from various types of parasites were found. Two intestinal worms that are transmitted by the faecal-oral route, roundworm (Ascaris sp.) and whipworm (Trichuris sp.), were found. In some cases, tapeworms can be found as well, in the drain from Vindolanda eggs from Taenia (beef/pork tapeworm) were found. These [tapeworms] are of particular interest as they are food-transmitted, specifically by the ingestion of raw or undercooked red meat.“ https://www.vindolanda.com/blogs/blog/ancient-parasites I have little doubt that other non-helminth infections that commonly infect man will be discovered in the latrines as the means of detection improve: Giardia, Entamoeba histolytica, bacteria species, etc. I need to review helminth (worm), as well as other intestinal infections later: Quote “Helminths are worms with many cells. Nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flatworms) are among the most common helminths that inhabit the human gut. There are four species of intestinal helminthic parasites, also known as geohelminths and soil-transmitted helminths: Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), Trichiuris trichiuria (whipworm), Ancylostoma duodenale, and Necator americanicus (hookworms).“ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2754014/ Interesting video on water management at Vindolanda: Edited April 23, 2022 by guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldrail Posted January 3, 2022 Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 Hardly a suprise there Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy Posted January 4, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2022 (edited) 8 hours ago, caldrail said: Hardly a suprise there Guy Thanks for reading my post. Here’s an old thread (with a few broken links) that delves into the general health of the inhabitants at Vindolanda: “About 60% of the total cohort was not in the fort, presumably on duties elsewhere. Of those remaining in the fort (296), 31 (more than 10%) were unfit for duty (sick, wounded, or suffering from eye inflammation). I am surprised at the large number who were absent because of eye disease.” ”Sick--15 Wounded--6 Suffering from inflammation of the eyes (lippientes)--10 Total of these [present but unable to perform duties because of illness] -- 31” Edited January 4, 2022 by guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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