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An '''Aldebaran mud leech''' is small annelid worm native to the [[mud]] of the [[Aldebaran system]]. |
An '''Aldebaran mud leech''' is small annelid worm native to the [[mud]] of the [[Aldebaran system]]. |
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They can be used to treat [[insomnia]] as their secretions act as a natural [[sedative]]. In order to do so, one has to place one leech on one's chest and one on the abdomen an hour before going to bed. |
They can be used to treat [[insomnia]] as their secretions act as a natural [[sedative]]. In order to do so, one has to place one leech on one's chest and one on the abdomen an hour before going to bed. |
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| − | Although it is not specified by [[Doctor]] [[Phlox]], the bodies of all [[Earth]] [[leeches]] are divided into the same number of segments (34), with a powerful clinging sucker at each end (although the anterior, or front sucker can be very small). The mouth is in the anterior sucker and the anus is on the dorsal surface (top) just in front of the rear sucker. |
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| − | All known [[leeches]] have an anterior (oral) sucker formed from the first six segments of their body, which is used to connect to a host for feeding, and also release an [[anesthetic]] to prevent the host from feeling the leech. They use a combination of mucus and suction (caused by concentric muscles in those six segments) to stay attached and secrete an anti-clotting enzyme into the host's blood stream. The leech also releases an anticoagulant to prevent the host's blood from clotting whilst it feeds. |
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| − | Though all species of [[leeches]] feed on [[blood]], not all species can bite; 90% of them solely feed off decomposing bodies and open wounds of [[amphibians]], [[reptiles]], [[waterfowl]], [[fish]], and [[mammals]] (including, but not limited to, [[humans]]). Due to the fact that [[Aldebaran]] mud [[leeches]] secret a [[sedative]], one can assume the [[leech]] intends to stay attached for some time to the host. Likely the [[leech]] attaches itself when it bites, and it will stay attached until it has had its fill of blood. |
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[[Category:Animals]] |
[[Category:Animals]] |
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[[Category:Medical equipment]] |
[[Category:Medical equipment]] |
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Revision as of 07:34, 14 February 2012
Aldebaran mud leeches
An Aldebaran mud leech is small annelid worm native to the mud of the Aldebaran system.
They can be used to treat insomnia as their secretions act as a natural sedative. In order to do so, one has to place one leech on one's chest and one on the abdomen an hour before going to bed.
It is necessary to sleep on one's back while trying this treatment, as rolling over might anger the creatures according to Doctor Phlox, who kept some Aldebaran mud leeches in his sickbay aboard the Enterprise NX-01. (ENT: "Anomaly")