Leech, bloodsucker, cootie, vermin, flea, tapeworm, hookworm, pinworm. By popular reputation parasites are repugnant creatures, the ugly of the universe, the creepy, slimy and weird.

In ancient Greek the word parasitos means one who eats at the table of another. In nature these organisms seem to have lost their table manners. They invite themselves to lunch and then dine on their hosts, sucking blood, leaching nutrients, devouring whole organs.

For years parasites have been dismissed as odd sideshows in the natural world, grotesque in form and gruesome in act. But lately they are finding a new place in the biologica spotlight. A growing cadre of scientists now see these organizms as subtle, complex creatures, and much more powerful than anyone ever imagined.

The broad fish tapeworm may grw to 35 feet and liver ten years in side a person's intestine, producing hundreds of babies every 22 days! Each mature segment comes complete with male and female sex organs resembling Japanese characters. A yen for raw fish increases the risk of infection.

Hookworms, little leechlike vampires of the intestinal tract, suck the blood of a billion people a year and kill perhaps 100,000...and the medical profession remains unaware of this hidden cause of disease. That is, until several years ago, when the AMA advised their members "If you find it difficult diagnosing a problem, consider parasites!"

Blood-dwelling trematodes known as schistosomes infect 200 million people, sometimes causing severe disease of the gastrointestinal tract, bladder and liver.

Because they multiply so rapidly and prolifically (roundworms can produce 200.000 eggs in a day; some tapeworms, as many as a million), their effects are especially powerful, at least as powerful as other challenges faced by an orgnism, such as cold or hunger.

For years, knowledgeable farmers have mixed the diatomacious powder in K-Min with their animal meal to stay ahead of the worms and parastes of all kinds. When you see an animal with no sheen, suspect parasites, for dull hair is only one symptom of worms.

Way underweight, looked like skin and bones.        "Full of worms", was what proved to be the correct diagnosis from Dr. Carey A. Reams, famed biologist who taught medical doctors to understand the importance of nutrition.

Worms cause anyone to be more susceptible to diseases and have been said to cause overweight problems. Statistics show that in certain areas more than 80 percent of the people have worms.

"Itching in the vagina from pollen," he said, "K-Min is the finest thing."