How ants are used as a surgical suture (7 photos + 1 video)

Ants of the Dorylus species living in Africa and Asia have one feature - powerful mandibles (jaws), similar to hooks. Native people have long been thought of for their medical use.





Dorylus is a species of nomadic ant that is common in central and eastern Africa, as well as in Asia. These ant colonies huge - the number of colonies can reach 20 million individuals. But it is not the only amazing fact about these arthropods. Ants Dorylus have powerful mandibles that look like hooks. Because of this the indigenous people began to use ants as "sutures" for healing of wounds.



First, the ant is placed directly on the wound so that it bites it and mandibles "captured" the edges of the wound. Alas, the ant healer sacrifices his life in the process. As soon as the jaws of the ant dig into the skin and tighten the edges of the wound, the body of the ant is removed, leaving only the mandibles themselves and the head. So it turns out natural seam, and the wound heals faster. Such ants to this day day is often used in small villages located in the Congo and across throughout Africa, where there is no access to the necessary materials.