; x: @/ F$ \+ D. d: e& LWomen turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011rs238848.rs.hosteurope.de2 L; _1 ?. _, b1 w/ i# U# P. B
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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.rs238848.rs.hosteurope.de" L, b5 X9 |8 M% d$ m3 Q" I! P& u, ^8 g
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The idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood. Q+ E$ ~; b2 a" `! x
6 A( K! u+ n) F8 p1 kThat 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. & R& }) n0 I- v' |9 q( e2 O; _人在德国 社区 * U; `9 Q: y$ Q0 iDamien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.