December 4, 1998. Copyright, 1998, Graphic News. All rights reserved.

ICE MAN HAD WORMS
By Margot Nesdale

LONDON, December 4, Graphic News: ASTOUNDING NEW evidence has emerged that the Ice Man had worms and knew how to treat them.
The revelations about the prehistoric Alpine mummy, who lived about 5,300 years ago, were contained in todayÕs edition of The Lancet (Dec 4).
Examination of the neolithic manÕs lower bowel showed that he had whipworms, a common bowel infestation that can cause diarrhoea and stomach pains, according to Professor Luigi Capasso of the University of Chieti in Italy.
But the Ice Man also had a remedy at hand. Found next to his body when it was discovered in northern Italy in 1991 were two walnut-sized lumps pierced and tied to a leather thong.
Analysis showed that these were a bracket fungus, Piptoporus betulinus, which contains toxic resins and agaric acid, powerful laxatives which cause bouts of diarrhoea.
Professor Capasso, of the universityÕs department of anthropology, concluded: 
ÔThe discovery of the fungus suggests that the Ice Man was aware of his intestinal parasites and fought them with measured doses of Piptoporus betulinus.Õ
The manÕs well-preserved body was discovered in September 1991 after the snout of the Val Senales glacier in the south Tyrol, northern Italy, receded because of global warming.
Nicknamed Oetzi by his discoverers, he is thought to have died of exhaustion at the age of about 45 and to have suffered from acute arthritis.
Tattoos found on his body are evidence that Europeans practised acupuncture some 2,000 years before the Chinese, scientists say. The tattoos may have formed an ancient acupuncture chart used long before the therapy was developed in the Far East. Most were found on the lumbar spine, knee and ankle and were probably applied to combat muscle and joint pain.
/ENDS

Sources: The Lancet, Reuters