Operation to remove guinea worms, 17th century illustration

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17th century illustration showing French traveller Jean de Thevenot (1633-1667) watching a man undergoing an operation to remove guinea worms (Dracunculus medinensis) from his leg in Bender Abassi, Persia. Guinea worms are parasitic nematodes that cause the disease dracunculiasis. Infection is through drinking water containing the water flea which harbours larvae of the worm. The larvae mature in body tissues. Nausea, vomiting and diar- rhoea often develop. Once adult, the female worms blister the skin to escape from their host. Artwork by Dutch artist Van Luyken in 1682.

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Size: 3908px × 5006px
Location:
Photo credit: © Rijksmuseum/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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