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LEECHES IN MEDICINE
Author(s) -
Thearle M. John
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1998.tb02086.x
Subject(s) - medicine , popularity , traditional medicine , surgery , law , political science
Leeches have been used in medicine for blood‐letting since ancient times. Leeching has varied in popularity over the years. It reached its zenith during the early decades of the 19th century with a gradual decline by the end of the century. Since the 1980s leeches have been introduced to remove blood where its accumulation may interfere with healing, particularly after plastic tissue‐flap surgery. The history and current use of medicinal leeches in Australia is examined.