Parasites.

I watched a Bodysnatchers doco on ABC tonight about parasites and it got me squirming. They say everyone has a phobia and mine include certain species of nematodes, molluscs and insects - namely tape worms, slugs, snails, most insects and anything else from those phyla small enough to fit up a nostril.

It was amazing. One biologist purposely ingested a tapeworm cyst. There were little updates throught out the show - eventually he reported that bits of the worm crept out his other end of their own accord! Eww!

At the end of the program (ten weeks later) he took an anti-worm pill and he passed it. On camera. Well, they just showed his face obviously, not the actual defecation. He winced, dropped it in the pot and he was scared to look. Later he laid it on the grass of his backyard and it turned out to be longer than he was tall - over seven feet! And that was growing inside him!

Also, a woman had a pinky-sized maggot from a bot fly taken out of a lump on her head and a poor kid from a developing nation passed ten round worms.

Oh it was a charming program. Gross out factor: 110%. Now I'm paranoid about worms.


Listening to:
Title: Dope Nose
Artist: Weezer
Album/station: Maladroit (2002)
Length: 2.17