.......Strange Beliefs

In the Carpathian mountains in Europe there is a legend that Simulid Flies breed in the blood of the dragon slain by St George.

......Medical Wonders

Earwig powdered and mixed with hares urine was considered to be a cure for deafness if poured into the ears each night before going to bed.

Members of the beetle family Meloidea (Oil Beetles) particularly Spanish Fly (Lyta vesicatoria) have long used in medicine, the active ingredient is cantharadin C8H12O(CO)2O. It has been used in various ways including as lotions for baldness and in love potions despite the fact that it is actually very poisonous, causing strong gastro-irritation, vomiting and ultimately death.

There is a Chrysomelid Beetle Diamphidia simplex in Africa which exudes a poison which is a powerful haemolytic and causes death by general paralysis, it is used by the Bushmen of African to 'tip' their arrows. (Its not all frogs you see)

The grub of the beetle Rhinocyllus conicus was known in the past as Antiodontalgicus and it was used as a cure for tooth ache.

Up until recently Bed Bugs (Reduviidae) were reguarded as a cure for malaria in a variety of forms.

Ladybirds (Coccinellidae)were once considered efficacious for the cure of colic and measles, while a crushed Ladybird placed in a hole in a tooth was said to release the pain immediately.

In parts of Europe powdered Cockroach was sold under the name 'Pulvis Tarakanae' as a remedy for pleurisy and pericarditis.

Formic acid from ants of the genus Formica was described by Hildegard of Bingen in 1 000 AD as a cure for neurotic troubles.

Bee stings were widely reputed to be a remedy for rheumatism, modern science was still investigating this as recently as 1940 as Beekeepers appear to be immune from rheumatism.

------------------
Pinhead,Pin-Up at 56,Pinintheneck,Pindead,PinM&M, PinMoney, Pinocchio Pincushion, Pinwheel, Pinochle

Hey PinBug, have you any earwig powdered and mixed with hares urine, I think I am losing my hearing in my right ear.