The bore worms are a method of torture used by the agents of Ming the Merciless. The first time I heard about them was in an old science fiction story I read in the 1960's, which was once featured on the Twilight Zone. They are worms, similar to maggots, that eat living tissue, and are introduced into the subject through the ear, so they can eat through the brain thus causing excruciating pain.

1) "Bore worms are Mongo creatures used to torture prisoners. Klytus threatens Princess Aura with them in this memorable exchange from the Flash Gordon movie: Klytus: "Bring me... the bore worms." Aura: "No! Not the bore worms!" Source and further information: http://flashgordon.wikia.com/wiki/Bore_worms "Boreworms an (unseen) animal used as an implement of torture in the movie Flash Gordon." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fictional_worms Further information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080745/quotes 2) Flash Gordon - The Whipping Scene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ5LaSPThfc 3) I think this description could also apply: "Physical Description The bore worm appears as a small, thick bodied, cylindrical worm. It is about four inches long and one inch in diameter. A whitish grey slime coats the worm entirely. When crawling upon a surface, it leaves a trail of slime behind it. Combat The bore worm’s only attack is tunneling into the flesh of another animal. Since it moves slowly, it must use surprise and tunnels quickly for the first few seconds until initial entry into the host creature is complete. A tunneling bore worm causes excruciating pain for the host creature and the host will be aware of it. Many creatures, if they are able, will cut a bore worm out rather than allow it to bore. If a bore worm infests a horse or similar creature which does not use tools, the creature will usually claw or chew the worm out. If unable, the creature will go wild with pain, kicking and screaming, until death occurs. Habitat Bore worms are primarily found in wetlands such as swamps or marshes. However, they can be found in almost any environment. It is known that they prefer warmer climates to cold and extreme cold kills them. Some cultures utilize bore worms as a tool of torture. Ecology This small terror is a scavenger, sustaining itself on flesh, carrion, vegetation, garbage or whatever else it can find. This worm bores slowly tunnels through soft material - leather, vegetable matter, earth, flesh, wood. Material passes through body by muscle contractions and is expelled out the back. Nutrients are absorbed through the semi-permeable inner lining of the worm." Source and further information: http://www.khoras.net/Khoras/Faunflor/Fauna/Swamp/Boreworm.htm