[DC at the Ridge]

Last weekend I had my 7-year old nephew, and I took him out hiking for part of the day. It was early morning, and we came across some slugs. He told me if you licked the bottom of slugs, your mouth would go numb. Okay, great, not that I'd ever lick the bottom of slugs, but awesome that you know that, kiddo. So today I do some research, and it turns out that that is absolutely true. And, that American Indians used to put slugs into their mouths to relieve toothaches.

[adysmom]

Originally Posted by DC at the Ridge

Last weekend I had my 7-year old nephew, and I took him out hiking for part of the day. It was early morning, and we came across some slugs. He told me if you licked the bottom of slugs, your mouth would go numb. Okay, great, not that I'd ever lick the bottom of slugs, but awesome that you know that, kiddo. So today I do some research, and it turns out that that is absolutely true. And, that American Indians used to put slugs into their mouths to relieve toothaches.

What do the slugs think about that?

[DC at the Ridge]

Originally Posted by adysmom

What do the slugs think about that?

I suspect they think "ugh!"

[Rainbow Island]

That tooth would sure have to be hurting mighty bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cali BassMan]

Might be the slug liked it...........

[Peterbilt379]

Up in Pennsylvania, some kids from my High School used to eat or swallow worms whole, for the fun of it. (I NEVER will.) Some insects, bugs, slugs, etc.. can make you ill, and possible die from it. Hate to say it, but it is true. I've seen alot of disturbing things that people do, but you have to be crazy or dumb enough to do something like that. Actually, I guess it is not that dumb, if you had to live on an Island in the jungle. Guess, eating or licking bugs would called "surviving." Have anyone ever watched the movie "Hatchet"? It's kinda of an old movie, not too old. (about 10 years)

[Reivax]

I wonder who was the first person to try it, and what made him or her put the slug in the mouth to begin with!

I've had a bad toothache, but I still dont' think I'd put a slug in my mouth.

[Peterbilt379]

Have to agree.

With toothaches, the scientists created medication for things like that. That doesn't involve slugs, as far as we know. Kids and parents these days, don't care about anything anymore and their own children. Kids don't know any better. Someday, I will be a parent. I would never let my children eat, lick or play with the any bugs, insects, slugs, etc... Do you know where the creatures been?
People can learn something from Discovery and History channels. If they don't watch tv, there is alot other sources people can learn about things.

[linicx]

Sixty years ago life was a bit different. Kids did stuff behind their parents back, just like they do today. The difference is the doctors. Then, doctors laughed. Today, unless you find an old country doctor, you'll get HMO doctors that insist you must spend an obscene amount of money for tests and preventive medicine. UGH!!!

[Reivax]

Originally Posted by linicx

Sixty years ago life was a bit different. Kids did stuff behind their parents back, just like they do today. The difference is the doctors. Then, doctors laughed. Today, unless you find an old country doctor, you'll get HMO doctors that insist you must spend an obscene amount of money for tests and preventive medicine. UGH!!!

100 years ago, the doctor might have given you something like clove or mint oil to help numb the pain, maybe a hit of whiskey if you were over the age of 15.

Today they'd have a disorder named for it, like CTD (Chronic Toothache Disorder). Spend thousands researching it, all so you can spend a day's pay for medication (that still just has clove or mint oil as a base) and of course another 2 day's pay for the office visit just to get you the prescription for the naturally occurring substance.