Historical Aspects of Leech Therapy: A Critical Review -

Bloodletting and the therapeutic use of Hirduo medicinalis dated back to the ancient Egypt and the beginning of the civilization. Their popularity has varied over the years. Leech therapy is one of the most important and widely practiced methods of regimental therapy, used for local evacuation of morbid humour in Unani system of Medicine. With the advent of modern pathology, physiology and microbiology in the late 19 th century bloodletting with leeches fell out of favour. The leech once used by physicians of emperor and influential academic surgeon enjoyed a renaissance in reconstructive surgery during the last 15 years. The Leech is no longer ubiquitous, but has warmed its way back into the medical field. This paper presents a brief review on the history of treatment with leech from its origin to the present day.