Medical leech - The Bible
The oldest letter, which mentions the medical leech is the Bible. The original language of the Bible, name of medical leech derives from the Hebrew word Alukah - to be connected, as it is attached to the skin as a man to his destination. Because of their great aggressiveness in the attachment of the victims were of terror. If still do not full, sensing potential victims with the help of their receptors sensitive to temperature, perspiration, blood, changes in humidity, movement of water and air, they came to their victims like moths to light. Leeches drink the blood so furiously that they cease to respond to any stimuli. The rear part of the body does not break further suck blood. You probably already in the Stone Age practiced the use of medicinal leeches to bleed the blood, as a habitat for disease-causing demons.
The use of medical leeches in ancient civilizations
In pre-Columbian America, the Aztecs valued blood, believing that with them the man leave the evil spirits. History dates back to ancient times.In Egypt, it was recommended that blood rebates for the removal of corrupt blood. These treatments consisted of cutting the skin and placing the leeches. The frescoes found in the tomb of the royal scribe Userhata are evidence of the use of leeches by ancient physicians even in 1500 - 300, before our era.In ancient Greece, discounts were treated infectious diseases. Hippocrates used the treatment so (460 - 377 BC), but was not fit its specific meaning. Herofilos of Chalkedonu (IV / III century BC), one of the greatest physicians of the Alexandrian scientific center, advocated bloodletting to remove excess moisture from the body.The first document describing the use of western leech is a poem written by Nicandera of Colophon, who lived at 200 - 130 BC Known Tajik scholar Ibn - Siwa (980 - 1037) in the treaty "Canon" has devoted much attention to the treatment of leeches. Even then, doctors have used leeches for shaking of the brain, kidney disease, liver, joint pains, tuberculosis and epilepsy.
Chinese writings from the first century AD, describe in detail the technology of making medical leeches.
In Islamic countries, despite widespread fear of bleeding, bloodletting was the most popular healing practices.
Medical leech - History - Europe
The European practice in order to restore the constitutional balance of fruit juices and spells used laxatives, and when those did not result in blood-discounts. They are usually pursued the barber, but always under supervision and with the knowledge of a doctor. These procedures are usually performed in the spa. Blood is usually dropped after a bath, believing this practice to be most effective. This was done both for therapeutic and prophylactic. At the time of the plague were advised to reduce the discounts on the natural body heat. Developed a special plate Anatomical - Astrological therapy. Eighteenth and early nineteenth is the pinnacle of fame in the medical leech. Although many of the momentous discoveries that have taken place in medical science knowledge of the average doctor was relatively low. In practice, the theory is still dominated by the four humors. These methods often give disastrous results. Peak period in the medicinal use of leeches were the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In France, where he used most of the leeches, the annual demand has reached 50 million documents items. Napoleon is known that the treatment of his army was brought from Hungary, 6 million leeches. Similar consumption took place in England and Russia.
Proceeds from the sale of leeches in France and Russia were higher than the sale of cereals. Renowned Russian doctor during the Crimean War put daily from 100 to 200 leeches using them for fractures, and edema. Hirudotherapy subjected to every patient regardless of age and indications for this. Excessive use of leeches also had bad side, because there were some who made use of one treatment up to 100 leeches, which have to be fatal for the patient. So great is causing almost complete destruction of the leech in its natural environment. After 1830, the practice of putting leeches gradually started to fade. Significant impact on the statistical method was the creator of the medical Pierre Louis (1787-1872). The scholar has proved groundless faith in krwioupusty. Several years later, these studies confirmed the Polish clinician Józef Dietl (1804-1878).
The development of medicine
The rapid development of medicine in the second half of the nineteenth century, the development of microbiology and principles of antisepsis led to a sharp decline in use of leeches. In the early twentieth century, leeches almost completely disappeared from medicine. Scientific approach to the leech and its action on the body, gave the opportunity to create a new field in science.