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Women turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011人在德国 社区% [0 I7 H/ n3 }% H+ a2 N0 Z9 H
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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.; Y, F) C9 ^; B4 E1 S' ^
- l/ q$ y. O$ I; d* ?2 p% fThe idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood. ) z+ h* _9 S3 r' H' w K7 d + m' P K9 t2 K, t# A1 uThat 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( d& j l1 A! y& L V" m
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Damien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.