Screwworms: the stuff of nightmares. I can’t handle the sight of maggots, so the knowledge that there are flies that lay their eggs on living mammals just freaks the bleep out of me.
The year is 1882:
Doctor Removes 210 Screwworms From Man’s Head
Dr. Kessley informs us that he removed 210 screwworms from the head of the young man, an account of whose case was given last week.
In order to get at the worms, the Dr. was compelled to cut open the roof of the mouth entirely across, and also open the face from the outside.
The remedy used chloroform, which seemed to do its work effectually.
There is now every reason to believe that the young man will recover.
The above young man had been bleeding at the nose and, falling asleep afterwards, have been blown by the flies, which are sure to do their work when there is fresh blood.
The screwworms secured lodgment in the young man’s nostrils, with the above results.
A deplorable mess. [Ya think?]
Source: Cheyenne Transporter. Newspaper. September 26, 1882.
