Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Feather · 05-21-2003, 01:07 PM

DO NOT CLICK THIS LINK IF IMAGES OF BLOOD AND/OR GRIEVOUS WOUNDS OFFENDS OR NAUSEATES YOU

I understand maggots were once used to treat necrotic wounds to remove the dead tissue. But this is just too wierd.

Also, how could somebody possibly go without noticing this wound? You'd think when he went to shampoo or comb or touch his head this would become apparent to him.

Also, how long is it likely that he lived after the infestation departed (if it ever did)?

Philosoft · 05-21-2003, 02:05 PM

It's rather unclear, but according to the bottom part of the article, the condition of the brain and skull as shown are the result of a type of cancer, not insect infestation.

Feather · 05-21-2003, 02:08 PM

Yes, but he's got a huge myiasis infestation in his brain. I'd think they'd eventually eat through all the important bits. I'm just curious as to how it is that it didn't happen this way, I guess.

Calzaer · 05-21-2003, 02:19 PM

I'd suppose maggots only eat dead tissue?

Azathoth · 05-21-2003, 03:29 PM

Sure.It looks like he's still got most of his brain.There are people who've lived on far less,and maggots do only eat dead flesh.They're damn effective,too.I doubt that a better way of getting rid of necrotic flesh will come along soon.

I'll bet he's still alive,unless the cancer got him,or he died of old age.Of course,it goes without saying,that he's likely to be crazier than a shithouse rat,if he let this go on for as long as he did.

johngalt · 05-22-2003, 10:51 AM

Yuck

emphryio · 05-25-2003, 09:37 PM

Actually maggots eat away infection and are even occasionally used as a medical treatment for people with sores/wounds that won't heal.

There have been many real cases of people coming into hospitals (often off the streets with mental conditions) who have horrifying wounds crawling with maggots. Removing the maggots often causes death shortly after.

So there's nothing to be disgusted about. If you have a wound, maggots are good.

Late_Cretaceous · 05-26-2003, 10:55 AM

Doesn't that make your scalp itch?

I would suspect that the man's brain was not exposed and open to the air like that for a long time. Perhaps a "crust" of necrotic tissue and matted hair had been in place - this could have allowed flies to enter and deposit their eggs. You can imagine this guy standing at a bank lineup with the people behind him wondering why the smelly guy in front of them is attracting flies.

God, that makes me itch even more!

Dan<Devil> · 05-26-2003, 12:49 PM

I've heard of maggots used in the treatment of gangrenous plagues(they only eat dead tissue). Apparently they can also be used in treating dead brain tissue... The method itself is quite interesting, considering that the worms are cheap to produce and their 'cleaning' of the wound is very effective.

Gnomelord · 05-26-2003, 07:21 PM

Well, I can't say you didn't warn me...

But EWWWWWWW!
That is nasty!
Uhm, I have absolutely no relevant comment but to contribute my sense of disgust.

05-21-2003, 01:07 PM	#1
Feather Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,827	Doctors/Medical Scientists: How Could This Man Possibly Live!? DO NOT CLICK THIS LINK IF IMAGES OF BLOOD AND/OR GRIEVOUS WOUNDS OFFENDS OR NAUSEATES YOU I understand maggots were once used to treat necrotic wounds to remove the dead tissue. But this is just too wierd. Also, how could somebody possibly go without noticing this wound? You'd think when he went to shampoo or comb or touch his head this would become apparent to him. Also, how long is it likely that he lived after the infestation departed (if it ever did)?

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05-21-2003, 02:05 PM	#2
Philosoft Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast of disorder Posts: 6,829	It's rather unclear, but according to the bottom part of the article, the condition of the brain and skull as shown are the result of a type of cancer, not insect infestation.

05-21-2003, 02:08 PM	#3
Feather Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,827	Yes, but he's got a huge myiasis infestation in his brain. I'd think they'd eventually eat through all the important bits. I'm just curious as to how it is that it didn't happen this way, I guess.

05-21-2003, 02:19 PM	#4
Calzaer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,762	I'd suppose maggots only eat dead tissue?

05-21-2003, 03:29 PM	#5
Azathoth Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The centre of infinity Posts: 1,181	Sure.It looks like he's still got most of his brain.There are people who've lived on far less,and maggots do only eat dead flesh.They're damn effective,too.I doubt that a better way of getting rid of necrotic flesh will come along soon. I'll bet he's still alive,unless the cancer got him,or he died of old age.Of course,it goes without saying,that he's likely to be crazier than a shithouse rat,if he let this go on for as long as he did.

05-22-2003, 10:51 AM	#6
johngalt Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 204	Yuck

05-25-2003, 09:37 PM	#7
emphryio Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: WV Posts: 4,369	Actually maggots eat away infection and are even occasionally used as a medical treatment for people with sores/wounds that won't heal. There have been many real cases of people coming into hospitals (often off the streets with mental conditions) who have horrifying wounds crawling with maggots. Removing the maggots often causes death shortly after. So there's nothing to be disgusted about. If you have a wound, maggots are good.

05-26-2003, 10:55 AM	#8
Late_Cretaceous Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Alberta Posts: 1,049	Doesn't that make your scalp itch? I would suspect that the man's brain was not exposed and open to the air like that for a long time. Perhaps a "crust" of necrotic tissue and matted hair had been in place - this could have allowed flies to enter and deposit their eggs. You can imagine this guy standing at a bank lineup with the people behind him wondering why the smelly guy in front of them is attracting flies. God, that makes me itch even more!

05-26-2003, 12:49 PM	#9
Dan<Devil> Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 29	I've heard of maggots used in the treatment of gangrenous plagues(they only eat dead tissue). Apparently they can also be used in treating dead brain tissue... The method itself is quite interesting, considering that the worms are cheap to produce and their 'cleaning' of the wound is very effective.

05-26-2003, 07:21 PM	#10
Gnomelord Regular Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 127	Well, I can't say you didn't warn me... But EWWWWWWW! That is nasty! Uhm, I have absolutely no relevant comment but to contribute my sense of disgust.

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