Maggots anyone

Mick · 21-03-2005, 08:36

Maggot medicine!

Doctors are turning to the healing powers of maggots to treat patients with infected wounds.

Although some patients may squirm at the though of maggots munching away at their flesh, physicians believe that using the creatures could be a less painless and more effective way of treating wounds, including those infected with the superbug MRSA.

The University of York is now recruiting 600 patients to test the theory during a three-year maggot trial.

Seeking to convince perturbed patients, Dr Pauline Raynor, who is leading the study, said: "These maggots are only interested in dead and unhealthy tissue. Rather than strip a leg, they will start eating each other instead."

She added: "Some patients obviously aren't very keen, but we've found the majority are willing to take part. It has not been a problem in terms of squeamishness."

Dr Raynor's study will be watched closely by physicians across the globe, many of who hope the miracle maggot treatment will lead to a reduction in the use of antibiotics.

Doctors also believe the medicinal maggots will clear up infected wounds within days, rather than leaving patients in pain for months under conventional treatment.

But maggot medicine is far from a new medical breakthrough. Napoleon's battle surgeon was using the healing powers of the creatures some 200 years ago, while troops in the trenches in World War One also made use of the larvae to treat wounds.

janet · 21-03-2005, 10:04

I so a documentry on tv about it, works a treat although it would make me cringe if i could feel them squirming around.

fibi · 21-03-2005, 10:25

A friend who seriously injured his leg in a road accident had maggots put in the wound (the next option if this didn't work was amputation) however it worked a treat and he is making an excellent recovery and apparently you can't feel them moving about!!

vorlon24 · 21-03-2005, 12:19

I would probably give it a go.

Its got to be better for you than chemicals being pumped into your body

pendy · 22-03-2005, 13:39

Yup - works a treat. Medics are also back to using leeches for some conditions, they can reduce bruising around a wound very quickly. Can't say I fancy it, but it beats losing a limb any day.