[Cementjungle]

So that's what they do with all those laid-off MSM reporters.

[pillut48]

Oh, to be a fly on the wall for that conference...;-)

[AnnaZ]

Of course, there is a glaring downside to maggot therapy, and one that may prove an impenetrable barrier to its mainstream use — namely the “yuck” factor.

No kidding... BARF!

[Cicero]

The hell with the yuck factor. If it works, I'm all in favor. Just think of them as Mother's Little Helpers.

[SmoothTalker]

The joys of Government health care.

[AZLiberty]

Ewww, I wouldn't want John Edwards sucking on my wounds.

[TheBattman]

I think I could tolerate such therapy as long as I didn't have to see it... I think anything that reduces the cost of medical care, while actually being better at fixing the problem is a good idea.

[Yardstick]

Our little friend, the maggot.

[Cicero]

Some other interesting stuff in the article, too.

"Another creepy-crawly gaining popularity among doctors is the parasitic helminth worm. These, unlike other parasitic worms, do not cause disease or invade other body parts. A 2004 study in the journal Gut found that patients with Crohn’s disease who swallowed a worm for a 24-week period showed significant improvement."

[pandoraou812]

MRSA is very hard to treat. I have a friend who can not get rid of it. My brother died of it and other complications. I think its a great idea. Years ago leeches were used too. If it works and it does a good job then I would try it. I would feel grossed out but when you think of the sponges etc doctors have left in people I think I trust the maggots more.

[SkyPilot]

Sounds like that SNL skit from 30 years ago with Steve Martin - "Theodoric of York, Medievel Barber."

"Put another leach on her forehead."

[Buck W.]

"...and slash the cost from £2,200 to £300 per patient."

Even £300 seems high for a maggot treatment.

[MarkL]

I've often wondered if this sort of therapy could also help curb necrosis... For instance, if the 'lil critters could stop the spread of dead flesh, either in the case of the "flesh eating bacteria," or with certain sorts in envenomations, like being bitten by a brown recluse spider.

Mark

[Tunehead54]

Gross Bump!

[DarthVader]

This article proves that liberal democrats (maggots) have some useful purpose.

[Gay State Conservative]

Dr Joseph Upton,one of the finest hand surgeons there is (he's on the staff of several Harvard teaching hospitals) has used maggots and leeches in his practice for some time.

[stboz]

Does it tickle?

[Blackirish]

Maggots fixed me up just fine.

[Dave Elias]

This is not new. Maggot therapy has long been known to modern medicine. It should be noted that not all maggots restrict their diet to proud flesh.

[Titan Magroyne]

If I had a wound for which maggot or leech therapy would be appropriate, I'd go for it under 2 conditions: Keep me stoned so I don't see them and don't care, and strap down my hands to prevent squishing them while scratching the itching wound.

That's all I ask.