
I HAVE RIDDEN THE MIGHTY MOON WORM.
Also it wasn't scurvy, just gum irritation for some gay reason. Aggressive treatment appears to have prevented the progression of further gum infection.
Anyway, I started over. From scratch. Rethought the whole level. I'm much, much, MUCH happier with what I've got so far, and after I finish the next half of the level and the first boss room, L-1-1 will be finished.
And then bricks will be shat.