Mike, Where are you off venturing to this week? If I may be so bold as to ask.... It doesn't seem like there were as many new Dirty Jobs so I am guessing that you are off in another direction. Would really love to meet you someday. Be safe. Kel
I had a maggot farm in my side yard once. It actually was on my side and my neighbors. Since I have major OCD I spent a total of 8 hours killing every single one of them. Mind you, the only way to kill them (or at least the only way that worked for me) was pouring boiling water on them....for 8 hours....boiling and pouring....boiling and pouring.
It was horrifying. I tried bleach first and I swear I heard them all laughing at me.
Hey Ryansmom, you just gave me the creeps! I hate those vile little things - I think they are spauned from the devil! It will be interesting to see if Mike can shed something positive on them - until then, I will continue to do the full-body shudder Like Lynnie - oh, and dry heaves also.
I, too am curious to see what positive spin Mike can put on the ubiquitous maggot, if any. I am also curious to see if Mike will be able to keep his vomit reflex in check.
The only positive thing I can think of regarding the usefulness of maggots involves the ability to narrow down a potential time of death for a deceased individual dependent upon how old and large the maggots are, which could prove helpful in homicide investigations. But, given that this is Dirty Jobs, I am sure that we shall learn another purpose for maggots. Now, that's a yummy thought first thing in the morning, huh? Gives a whole new outlook to a bowl of white rice.
Hi guys. I share your disdain for maggots. However, they are oft used in the medical field. It seems there is a type of maggot that eats only rotting flesh. On people with wounds unable to be closed, they are used to clean and disinfect the area. If a surgeon did the same he would have to remove dead as well as healthy tissue to ensure complete removal.
I remember many years back, a woman lay in a ditch after being attached by, I think, a gator. They said the only thing that kept her alive were the maggots in her head keeping the wound from infecting. I know it sounds heinous and horrifying. But its saved many a life and limb!
Doctors who treat patients for gangrene and have found that the lowly maggot is the single best available treatment.
From Wikipedia:
"Gangrene is a complication of necrosis (i.e., cell death) characterized by the decay of body tissues, which become black and malodorous. It is caused by infection or ischemia, such as from thrombosis (blocked blood vessel). It is usually the result of critically insufficient blood supply (e.g., peripheral vascular disease) and is often associated with diabetes, and long-term smoking. This condition is most common in the lower extremities."
In other words, gangrene is ucky.
Docs have to remove the gangrenous tissue as quickly as possible, because the infection will spread and kill the patient. Surgical excision of the tissue is usually called for, but the docs generally have to cut out a good portion of the healthy tissue to ensure they got out all the diseased and dead stuff.
Enter the maggot. They thrive on the necrotic tissue, and leave the healthy tissue all alone. The doc will introduce 'medical-grade' fly larvae (maggots) to the wound for two to several days. At the end of the treatment period, the maggots are washed out and the doctor can examine the wound and prepare it for closure or reconstruction.
You can see some of the details here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggot_therapy
Thanks Maks and Emily for the helpful information regarding the beneficial uses of maggots. I know that I had no idea until I read your posts. I guess medical maggots are kind of like leeches, which have also proven helpful for bloodletting and amputation procedures. Of course, I'm not going to lie, the whole thing still gives me the squirms.
I'm not sure I'm going to be able to watch an episode with maggots. I can't handle mass quantities of bugs (any bugs). Makes it hard to watch CSI sometimes.
