[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

What? From this link...it seems as tho the hookworm infection may emulate the symptoms of asthma:

http://www.personalmd.com/news/hookworm_072600.shtml

[ClearCase_guy]

Theodoric, Barber of York used to do wonders with leeches.

[rfp1234]

As The Worm Turns.

[Jeff Chandler]

Helminthic therapy.

[Beowulf9]

“Could hold key......”

and if it doesn’t, what? You’re full of worms?

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

The mention of using pig whipworms was based on German research. Pig whipworms can only live in the human body for a couple of weeks, and so were ideal to work with, and had good results.

Importantly, using hookworm for severe asthma only seems to work as long as the infection is maintained, so in past, those individuals that used the treatment had to breed their own hookworms and reinfect themselves at intervals. Hookworms are more dangerous than whipworms, especially to children, because they may cause anemia.

Hookworm used to be endemic the the southern US, but was generally wiped out by the wearing of shoes, and the use of latrines. Several species are still around in the world, and are carried by dogs and cats. In the developing world, there has been considerable effort to wipe it out.

There is considerable potential for research, as over 100 different types of worms are known to infest humans.

[Domandred]

I’m fairly convinced (though only anecdotal evidence) that asthma is more prevalent in households that are cleaned by neat freaks. Friends that grew up in sterile houses all have asthma. Friends and I who grew up in dusty houses that maybe got windex/lisoled once a month if we were lucky don’t have asthma.

[This_far]

It will be interesting to read and hear the ‘small print’, ‘fast talking’ about the side affects... sometimes similar to or worse than what the intended ailment was!

Reminds me of this cure.
My arm hurts.
We’ll break your leg.
How will that help.
You won’t feel the pain in your arm.

[pbmaltzman]

I also read somewhere that cockroaches were associated with asthma in kids, and that was theorized as one reason for cases of asthma in inner-city kids.

Hey, I'm not a clean freak when it comes to housecleaning. But I'd have to be dead before I'd deliberately let someone infect me with worms.

[Sherman Logan]

Another neat treatment involves using maggots to clean wounds. Highly effective against gangrene. The maggots eat only the decaying flesh, leaving the healthy flesh to heal.

[Richard Kimball]

You'll get worms!!!

Somebody had to post it.

[little jeremiah]

I have asthma and I much prefer asthma to any worm infestation, thank you very much.!