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tvodrd said:
My limited understanding is that maggots will only eat dead tissue. I *think* they are used (raised sterile) for that medical purpose in the U.S? Larry
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****Warning for those with weak stomachs*****!!!
Yes, as strange as that sounds, it's true. The 'sterile' maggots will only eat dead tissue, leaving healthy tissue intact. They are used when surgery is not practical.
The end goal is to remove dead tissue, without harming any good tissue, and surgery can't always do that.
Historically, in Japanese prison camps during WWII, where there were no medical supplies at all, maggots were used to clean up and try to save gangrenous wounds/limbs, with some success.
In the interest of not causing any nausea, I will refrain from speculating on how and why the elderly gentleman became a host to maggots.
Nasty picture.....EWWH!