# n$ O9 k1 S" b V 3 k2 @1 U u, Z ?Women turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011 * O9 ~5 R, W" N9 B* Q9 q9 @人在德国 社区rs238848.rs.hosteurope.de2 R% R7 g$ w' s$ n# u: i* p
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. }7 Y% u! q; M' _+ w N3 x # E! K1 @5 p! ZThe idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood.1 Y' v5 K# k- s( X: O
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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.人在德国 社区. r( k( ^* @$ z7 r" y
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Damien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.