Comments on: 6 Horrifying Parasites (Kevin Federline isn’t one of them)

By: Monica

Monica — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:41:34 +0000

“The contention that guinea worm infection might be where the medical field’s “snakes-around-a-staff” symbol (or caduceus) came from is in error. It actually dates to the old testiment… “LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.” But the like the guinea worm idea better, it’s gross.”

Actually, the fiery serpent in the Bible is thought by many to have been a guinea worm. Worms and serpents are often called by the other’s name in the Bible. And the guinea worm brings with it a fiery burning when it comes through the skin. The worms did exist in the region where Moses and his people were at that time.

It’s quite a cool theory and plausible explanation.

By: MAV

MAV — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 20:23:46 +0000

Kirk:

It’s actually thought that the Guinea worm is the ‘fiery serpent’ mentioned in the Bible. It is a parasite that ‘burns its victims as it exits’, and it dates back over 3,000 years. So, you are correct about what the Bible mentions. It is also correct that one school of thought believes the Guinea worm is the serprent mentioned in the Bible and the same serpent representing the medial field symbol.

The Carter Center in Atlanta works alongside the Guinea Worm eradication effort. Visit http://www.cartercenter.org to learn more about it. Quite interesting that it may be eradicated very soon!

By: Kirk

Kirk — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 10:58:06 +0000

The contention that guinea worm infection might be where the medical field’s “snakes-around-a-staff” symbol (or caduceus) came from is in error. It actually dates to the old testiment. Numbers 21: God was ticked at the Isrealites for bitching in the desert, so he plagued them with poisonous snakes. As they lay dying, Moses prayed for them, and the “LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.” But the like the guinea worm idea better, it’s gross.

By: Jared Probst

Jared Probst — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:14:21 +0000

Great post for my lunch hour.

By: Erik

Erik — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:34:36 +0000

Very cool post! Well written and very informative.

By: Hubajube

Hubajube — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:38:33 +0000

Also read the Wikipedia article on Sacculina carcini to see how it feminizes male crabs in order to get it to care for and distribute the parasite’s eggs.

By: GTT

GTT — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:54:13 +0000

harold: I´m almost afraid to ask about the candiru fish…

For now I think I will build myself an airtight bubble to live in…

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:46:07 +0000

harold beat me to the punch. Read about the candirú at damninteresting. It’s a parasite that typically attaches itself to fish, but woe to any human who happens to pee in the water with a candirú present. (shudder)

http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=797

By: harold

harold — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:27:27 +0000

You left out the MOST horrifying- the candiru fish.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 19:39:04 +0000

I do believe I’ve lost my appetite for an entire week now.