2 W% i3 V( g+ ^ ! O# [& d* [( B1 QWomen turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011 R% A( O9 i7 w/ p( J人在德国 社区rs238848.rs.hosteurope.de, X8 Z" x i: y9 x# [% ~# C
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.人在德国 社区% U4 L, ?- \6 T$ j7 C
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The idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood.0 u0 ^, ]; s' g( l
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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. / N$ N6 f8 z' v- K2 ` 6 S$ o; g$ r, bDamien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.