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16. LIVING WITH DEPRESSION #3: THE BABOON SYNDROME
By flip on Nov 11, 2008 | In My Story, Helpful Hints | Send feedback »
I grew up on a farm at a time when baboons were so plentiful that they regularly trashed crops and whatever they could get hold of. In response farmers used to shoot them on sight, trying to protect their lands, and in the process greatly decimated the local baboon populations.
Because they were so agile, a lot of the shots ended up just wounding baboons, who would then run away. Sometimes they would survive, but if they had abdominal wounds, a really gross sequel would play itself out somewhere in the hills. The wounded baboon would run until it felt safe, sit down and start inspecting its wounds. Being inquisitive, they would start pulling at some piece of protruding intestine, and keep on pulling, literally pulling out their own insides.
Really gross, I agree, but with any chronic disease or disorder we humans tend to do exactly the same.
