5 Y' w; P$ `# x1 [8 _rs238848.rs.hosteurope.deWomen turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011+ n0 x5 _& x$ _. E. b+ g6 w
" m! w6 E+ _/ s: `1 eLeeches 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% v3 x5 a# p* X' A4 Z
" ]& C1 {" D4 B k, `+ dThe idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood. 0 B# R. U; y9 u1 M* } N3 v& K$ @ n; M# m2 d. D. e# T
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. - f) R8 W: A' v4 A1 ?; F2 C. T ) J9 }9 S, z& Ars238848.rs.hosteurope.deDamien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.