3 `, g6 N% n1 E5 I0 M s0 d! k* l- gWomen turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011 0 f& C# g8 {! R! [) B7 r; R( q人在德国 社区% k3 W9 l* K3 z- j% q
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.1 H( m. u! o7 x# r# ~" ]2 o2 v
$ a1 i e( H- Q- B9 @. S4 qrs238848.rs.hosteurope.deThe idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood.1 S l! G) u% h1 C
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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.4 R% A* `7 p4 @; X
' J& O0 m" T$ _+ G9 `) zDamien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.