0 c! w+ E# x1 s! p人在德国 社区Women turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011 6 V; g+ F; n1 I; a J2 m# B4 p: n; Z" G' Z3 K% j
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. 8 g$ B& \ Q) d+ Z' W/ Q人在德国 社区7 u8 Y# ?1 x2 O/ w% @& i
The idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood. 1 g5 P$ i4 ]4 j2 z人在德国 社区: Z! g( T$ v' N! a9 D" ?% z" @
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.rs238848.rs.hosteurope.de# G9 T, o0 `: Q2 d2 B% ?
H3 P3 K7 u' N1 C d5 a g9 _ D
Damien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.