$ R4 E- j0 E6 Q0 l v( XWomen turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011 / m5 D5 f( n1 p3 Z& A6 q4 Y$ U) b( W1 _. Z
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.. C, G% T! E4 M5 j1 c
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The idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood. ( j. u6 E: n. g3 H/ f4 `" I! g9 j: Q; V3 u+ _
That 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./ ^# ?- c7 d* b; ?: ?
3 `! w" D4 a: _$ S6 s+ M) hDamien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.