BLOOD LETTING
Blood-letting as a treatment for many diseases, but especially fevers, dates from antiquity. It was common practice among Greek physicians of the fourth century B.C. some of whom habitually applied it to almost every condition. Blood-letting continued in use as a therapy in the West throughout the Christian era and still had many adherents until near the end of the 19th century. Blood was withdrawn from the general circulation by venesection (phlebotomy) and from local tissues by leeches.
LEACHES
Blood-letting by leeches was recommended by many experts on puerperal fever as an optional adjunct to venesection. According to Professor Wood of the University of Pennsylvania, whose Treatise on the Practice of Medicine was published in 1847 and contained a section on puerperal fever and peritonitis, leeches should be placed on the abdomen immediately after venesection. For example, after one or two large bleedings, from 50 to 150 American leeches should be applied at once in the areas of greatest pain and tenderness, the procedure to be repeated if indicated by persisting symptoms. Professor Meigs had these words of approval for the practice: "While I profess in the strongest terms to confide in the lancet as the first and chief remedy, I would not pretermit any mention of leeches, which, as a secondary and subservient prescription, will be found of the greatest utility in the management of the cases."
Blood-letting as a treatment for many diseases, but especially fevers, dates from antiquity. It was common practice among Greek physicians of the fourth century B.C. some of whom habitually applied it to almost every condition. Blood-letting continued in use as a therapy in the West throughout the Christian era and still had many adherents until near the end of the 19th century. Blood was withdrawn from the general circulation by venesection (phlebotomy) and from local tissues by leeches.
LEACHES
Blood-letting by leeches was recommended by many experts on puerperal fever as an optional adjunct to venesection. According to Professor Wood of the University of Pennsylvania, whose Treatise on the Practice of Medicine was published in 1847 and contained a section on puerperal fever and peritonitis, leeches should be placed on the abdomen immediately after venesection. For example, after one or two large bleedings, from 50 to 150 American leeches should be applied at once in the areas of greatest pain and tenderness, the procedure to be repeated if indicated by persisting symptoms. Professor Meigs had these words of approval for the practice: "While I profess in the strongest terms to confide in the lancet as the first and chief remedy, I would not pretermit any mention of leeches, which, as a secondary and subservient prescription, will be found of the greatest utility in the management of the cases."