' r" k; r, F5 m6 h U1 N" urs238848.rs.hosteurope.deWomen turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 20110 E N- M. K( Y& e
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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. + H: {! s& o. o& }: _# b3 o ?8 p1 l
The idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood.. Q3 s: b `2 U1 n
' R4 R& h9 a( o+ Wrs238848.rs.hosteurope.deThat 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.rs238848.rs.hosteurope.de( `7 p5 t1 E0 X, b: }# ^9 w
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Damien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.