! ^# h$ w, o$ [, K! |Women turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011人在德国 社区4 x, n$ P0 H/ J, v0 \* p9 v, b6 }
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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.$ l9 C- k5 [5 y
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The idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood.$ b* q* d/ p. F$ S) t9 q
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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. : Q2 v N5 s: O0 s. k. F- l$ v3 t( H" b" o
Damien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.