Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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Amputations of Man and Beast. Perhaps as long as 30,000 years ago Homo sapiens Were performing amputations--Homo neanderthalis Probably had them beat by several thousand years! But let's talk of amputations millions of years ago! Carpenter ants, it has now been discovered, Have continuously amputated injured legs Of fellow warriors, when necessary. They are also presumably able to produce Antibiotic secretions for serious wounds As well as for amputations when needed-- Lower leg wounds are left alone Because if altered, death usually occurs, While upper leg wounds are successfully Amputated and treated. Ants produce many antimicrobial compounds And have evolved to possess many medical treatments. This, of course, includes therapeutic amputation! I believe this is monumental information Which draws our thoughts towards various life forms, Ever closer together, and gives us pause As to just how we might evaluate 'other life'! Frank Maurer 5 July 2024 1400 Hours.