BUTT IT ITCHES

The pinworm is a parasite
That makes a journey every night,
From the intestine where it resides
To lay its eggs on the outside.

The usual symptom is an itchy bottom
Though in the appendix it can cause a problem.
It generally resides in tiny tots,
But can infect both moms and pops.

Its thin walled eggs float in the air
So they can end up anywhere.
So if tonight you start to squirm,
remember it might be this worm.

But, this nematode’s easy to diagnose
By affixing scotch tape to the host;
Then examining the microscopic slide
For eggs that are flatter on one side.

So if you have him, don’t be embarrassed
Anyone can have Enterobius vermicularis.

S.M. Reynolds
Pediatrics 71(2):245, 1983


Only in medical school would this poem be so funny!!!!