Comments on: Leeches: up to more than just appropriating blood http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/5856 Feel Smart Again Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:19:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Heidi http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/5856/comment-page-1#comment-13028 Heidi Mon, 21 May 2007 14:20:41 +0000 http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/5856#comment-13028 I was fascinated by the use of leeches and maggots by the lead character in the Outlander book series by Diana Gabaldon. Claire is a twentieth century nurse/physician who gets transported back to 18th century Scotland and winds up in the Colonies, pre-revolutionary war. She uses maggots to clean a wound and leeches to save a surgical site. It's a fun series to read. I was fascinated by the use of leeches and maggots by the lead character in the Outlander book series by Diana Gabaldon. Claire is a twentieth century nurse/physician who gets transported back to 18th century Scotland and winds up in the Colonies, pre-revolutionary war. She uses maggots to clean a wound and leeches to save a surgical site. It’s a fun series to read.

]]> By: Bassman http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/5856/comment-page-1#comment-12886 Bassman Sat, 19 May 2007 13:33:50 +0000 http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/5856#comment-12886 32? They must not have an actual brain then, but just little bundles that control different aspects of movement and reaction. I think worms are like that. I like the aptness of the name Merryweather. I'm not too surprised that patients have handled these things well. My personal experience with major illness is that it enables us to put things in perspective. I had my first colon exam in the hospital. In light of everything else it was no big deal at all to have some guys finger up my bum. 32? They must not have an actual brain then, but just little bundles that control different aspects of movement and reaction. I think worms are like that.
I like the aptness of the name Merryweather.
I’m not too surprised that patients have handled these things well. My personal experience with major illness is that it enables us to put things in perspective. I had my first colon exam in the hospital. In light of everything else it was no big deal at all to have some guys finger up my bum.

]]> By: violet/riga http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/5856/comment-page-1#comment-12857 violet/riga Sat, 19 May 2007 07:39:21 +0000 http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/5856#comment-12857 But leeches have been employed elsewhere too, utilising their storm-detecting powers... "The Tempest Prognosticator, also known as the Leech Barometer, is an invention by George Merryweather in which leeches are used in a barometer. The twelve leeches are kept in small bottles inside the device; when they become agitated by an approaching storm they attempt to climb out of the bottles and trigger a small hammer which strikes a bell. The likelihood of a storm is indicated by the number of times the bell is struck." (from Tempest Prognosticator at Wikipedia) But leeches have been employed elsewhere too, utilising their storm-detecting powers…

“The Tempest Prognosticator, also known as the Leech Barometer, is an invention by George Merryweather in which leeches are used in a barometer. The twelve leeches are kept in small bottles inside the device; when they become agitated by an approaching storm they attempt to climb out of the bottles and trigger a small hammer which strikes a bell. The likelihood of a storm is indicated by the number of times the bell is struck.”

(from Tempest Prognosticator at Wikipedia)

]]> By: Eric http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/5856/comment-page-1#comment-12856 Eric Sat, 19 May 2007 06:54:58 +0000 http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/5856#comment-12856 did you know that leeches have 32 brains? did you know that leeches have 32 brains?

]]>