In Dublin oxyuriasis is widespread in both adults and children. It isnot a disease of dirt, being equally prevalent in all social grades. It is a disease entity and should be treated as such. Other diseases should not be allowed to mask it, in particular primary tuberculosis, because of its deleterious effect on nutrition and rest. The harassed doctor is not justified in reassuring the mother that the “child will grow out of it” and thus turn loose another potential life-long carrier. The results of such an evasion are apparent in the present-day mothers who have had the condition since childhood but, being ashamed of it, would no more dream of mentioning this so-called “childish ailment” than they would admit to enuresis.