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; [) k+ \, W- f1 h n; n2 h' F$ s1 S. B+ ZWomen turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011 6 L$ A m3 _7 q) s- W ' M% Q3 {; o/ HLeeches 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. 3 g# b. j' B! y, R/ n' M5 B 2 p; {7 n7 m ]) @/ C+ SThe idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood.3 X; {1 \0 r* |, `8 X0 u
- o6 F: f- }3 v6 nThat 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.! w- \/ C0 f6 m5 Q% `, ]1 C1 |
, r0 X- B- O9 u$ l2 |. J. QDamien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.