k9 m7 k" T1 Z4 A) }5 E, T人在德国 社区Women turn to leeches in Tbilisi 22 June 2011 9 o7 O. L* N; o9 W' zrs238848.rs.hosteurope.de人在德国 社区# J' u2 o7 k5 Y( x' O
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 q+ G4 B) ^% `2 y# j% P
" h- \/ R4 G5 g P4 Q: D( Irs238848.rs.hosteurope.deThe idea being that disease could be banished by releasing the infected blood. $ z5 |, ]0 E. A: h7 \( z; l人在德国 社区. ^- X; n3 K1 S" b
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.人在德国 社区; g/ ]; ]( t# _! l, E
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Damien McGuinness in the capital Tbilisi has been finding out why.