Larva therapy
Wounds infested with maggots or fly larvae appeared to have lower rate of infection and mortality during the Civil War. The larvae of blowfly can be obtained from specialized laboratories at a cost per bottle of 200 maggots. Wounds for debridement may be chronic wounds that do not require surgical intervention. Maggots perform highly selective debridement of necrotic tissue. This makes them able to maintain a suitable level of bacteria in the wound.
The procedure
Maggots shall be contained over the wound more securely than leeches. They must not be allowed to migrate. Use two hydrocolloid sheets with a hole approximating the size of the wound. Apply the bottle of maggots to the wound. Cover it with mesh material. The second hydrocolloid sheet must be place over the first to secure the mesh material.
