Without doubt, modern medicine has cured many millions of people and many people are alive today thanks to modern day pills and potions. However, especially in older people Polypharmacy is rife. Polypharmacy is the term given to the practice of prescribing large numbers of drugs simultaneously. Although hard to believe, many old folks are taking over 32 drugs each day. Unfortunately, Polypharmacy is a growing public health issue in the geriatric population as it is associated with a greater risk of hospitalization and death.
Rather than blindly accepting this worrying situation, a number of scientists are turning back the clock in the hunt for effective alternatives. Their answer is a return to maggots and leeches to treat ailments.
Maggot therapy was used to heal wounded soldiers in the Napoleonic wars, the American civil war and even the First World War.
Meanwhile, there is a farm, which supplies over 60,000 medicinal leeches each year to the NHS and other healthcare providers. Although leeches have the reputation of being horrible, black and slimy, they are in fact, incredible creatures. Firstly, they’re not black, they are green with orange and yellow polka dots. Each leech has 10 eyes, six hearts and 32 brains! And most incredibly, most leeches are Welsh!!
Utilizing his trademark, rich, multi layered, photo based, digital, montages, "Leeches and Amputation" is a body of work from artist JW Andrew exploring the theme of “Alternatives to Polypharmacy”. Unique images, which dare to question the wisdom of modern day medicines and investigates a number of seemingly obsolete cures, which may not be as bizarre as they first seem.
