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# z5 q0 \7 k! ]人在德国 社区Women turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011 " Z! t$ n( s% |: j! C; X人在德国 社区+ j0 `" \9 u. f' G
Leeches have been used in medicine for thousands of years. By attaching themselves to the body, and sucking blood from a patient, they were thought to bring health benefits. : }# j$ g( C" W/ n/ \7 m/ O( f# G2 h7 g3 @# _, h
The idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood. + h, j" [# O# @+ crs238848.rs.hosteurope.de . m& h) X% o" I( Q! r( A3 krs238848.rs.hosteurope.deThat idea fell out of fashion during the 20th century, with the discovery of modern drugs. But today, as interest in traditional medicine grows, they are making a comeback - particularly in the former Soviet State of Georgia.0 m0 P* m" E$ N1 J9 _8 p& H
* } b/ [" r4 y' M( t, |6 a2 KDamien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.