(you will never be able to unsee this)
That reminds me of https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/bloodsuckers-1.5361074 where I learned:
"... resist the temptation to pour salt on [a bloodsucking leech], as folk wisdom recommends, because that could cause the leech to vomit into the wound, posing unnecessary health risks, suggest biologists behind a new exhibit on bloodsucking animals."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempest_prognosticator
* results may vary.
> Because of the minuscule amounts of hirudin present in leeches, it is impractical to harvest the substance for widespread medical use. Hirudin (and related substances) are synthesized using recombinant techniques. Devices called "mechanical leeches" that dispense heparin and perform the same function as medicinal leeches have been developed, but they are not yet commercially available.
New Guinea: they have land leeches that hang out at the end of branches, like ticks. Hikers use anti-leech sleeves and gaiters.
I say: nuke from orbit, it's the only way to be sure. ;-)
vintagedave•5mo ago
mjd•5mo ago