( i- [7 a2 |5 ^( v( z. n人在德国 社区Women turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011 ) c h( N6 l' f# E# E; R$ [! o C% I5 V# Q% a
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. 1 x$ L7 D3 D/ X; L, P8 p( y , h2 v+ R& }: p9 G- _rs238848.rs.hosteurope.deThe idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood.rs238848.rs.hosteurope.de0 ]1 p' |& N0 o. q
9 _1 A7 k+ M! p# g. W7 V. L4 @1 o人在德国 社区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. * i$ g, j8 [. @) m" E* L0 nrs238848.rs.hosteurope.de Z9 _5 ^9 I3 I3 U7 U' r- mDamien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.