title: Leech therapy: a history.
abstract: Bloodletting is an ancient procedure that was utilized for curing the ills of man. This article traces the use of leeches for bloodletting therapy from ancient Greek times to the Chapin Harris era in the 1840s to modern day usage by plastic surgeons. The leech is described as both a parasite and a therapeutic agent. The techniques used by both medicine and dentistry are historically documented.
authors.affiliation: Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, Dental School, University of Maryland, 21201, USA.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hyson
mesh_terms: D005060:Europe; D006115:Greece; D006665:History of Dentistry; D006666:History of Medicine; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D024763:Leeching / Q000266:history*; D012426:Russia; D014481:United States