Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Judi Lynn

(160,219 posts)
Fri Jan 11, 2019, 12:54 AM Jan 2019

Maggots Will Soon Be Sent to War Zones to Heal the Injured


By Laura Geggel, Senior Writer | January 10, 2019 05:30pm ET

Maggots can be creepy, crawly and … medicinal? In a new effort to heal wounded people in war zones, the U.K. government is sending maggots to places like Syria, Yemen and South Sudan, according to The Telegraph.

Once these larvae — often those of green bottle blowflies — are connected with patients, they get right to work, keeping wounds contamination-free by gulping down dead human tissue and spreading their antibacterial saliva.

This macabre treatment may sound unusual, but it's actually a remedy that dates back to ancient times. For instance, the Australian Aboriginal peoples used maggots to clean wounds. And during World War I, soldiers in trenches also used the critters. [Coffee to Maggots: Top 10 Bad Things That Are Good For You]

Now, this therapy may help people with festering wounds stay free of infection. The $250,000 project may even help wounded people keep their limbs, as secondary infections from injuries and operations can lead to amputations.

More:
https://www.livescience.com/64473-maggots-in-war-zones.html
6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Maggots Will Soon Be Sent to War Zones to Heal the Injured (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jan 2019 OP
K&R Solly Mack Jan 2019 #1
They can also help with food scarcity. Onyrleft Jan 2019 #2
Yup, I've had some fried... Javaman Jan 2019 #4
Makes a lot of sense, the old remedies work. virgogal Jan 2019 #3
an ancient remedy that works defacto7 Jan 2019 #5
Too bad we can't send MAGAts to war zones to BE the injured! FiveGoodMen Jan 2019 #6
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Science»Maggots Will Soon Be Sent...