3 Y2 R5 ~& X1 y. _( X人在德国 社区Women turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011人在德国 社区# |8 h: F" q# a; v& I! C" ?
C$ t" _1 u( X- G+ Y; w+ m& `& 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. ( j7 i" A. P" C/ f: T - X- E& U5 h. a% }rs238848.rs.hosteurope.deThe idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood.8 ~5 c9 M9 ?; U1 O5 U( A4 R) Q
Y5 I ^* o3 G$ H8 |5 a) |人在德国 社区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.# o; Q7 o( I0 W% b
) {, e/ u2 G- ^4 urs238848.rs.hosteurope.deDamien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.