5 T* K2 i( [# z4 V4 e3 F8 xWomen turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011 v' N6 i+ H# I( p 9 k3 n% f7 r5 C3 Q( [( TLeeches 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. 2 h) G5 r E% L1 s9 ` 9 F0 ?. g; }1 O: ~/ }6 jThe idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood.4 |$ g, L) `% D
+ R$ V) M4 x- Y) L1 R- oThat 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. 5 Z1 M/ b$ b8 V, l2 i" P0 O$ |* {( F
Damien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.