19 Comments
User's avatar
Jayne Doe's avatar

Posted to fb a couple days ago, lol.

Expand full comment
V. N. Alexander's avatar

Consensus v. Science.

Expand full comment
Graham Wells's avatar

You must know that leeches are used today, including in cardiovascular disease? They improve blood flow.

Expand full comment
James Lyons-Weiler's avatar

I do.

Expand full comment
Graham Wells's avatar

Good.

Expand full comment
Warrior Mom's avatar

I remember a few decades ago, reading about a the use of some species of maggot to clear up the dead skin cells from chronic bed sores. no idea what came of it, if its still a thing or not. these things can have a place when we have a clear understanding of their MOA

Expand full comment
Graham Wells's avatar

Last I heard they're still used.

Expand full comment
Linda Hagge's avatar

Leeches are safer and more effective.

Expand full comment
Peter Nayland Kust's avatar

Trivia note: George Washington died after his doctor kept bleeding him after he took ill.

Expand full comment
GP's avatar

I don't see the article. Is it only for paid subscribers?

Expand full comment
Amy144's avatar

Wonder whether what happened to Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos was organic or sabotaged. Already DNA and many blood tests can be done from one drop of blood at a crime scene. Yet the bloodletting isn't over. It's customary to take many vials per blood draw, even up to 14. This leaves the patient without a fully functioning immune system. And white blood cells can take weeks, not just days to replenish.

Expand full comment
Diana's avatar

Looks like more than 3 leeches to me--not counting the doctor!

Expand full comment
Randall Wadsworth's avatar

You may not know the modern day application for leeches. A hospital that I worked at in Baltimore utilized ‘medical leeches’ for wound healing. We ordered and kept them in the hospital pharmacy. Not sure whose duty it was to apply them to the patient wounds, but it was probably the RN’s.

Expand full comment
Warrior Mom's avatar

interesting. were they definitely referred to as 'leaches'? (see my comment about maggots on bed sores). I think that the two different insects do quite different things. I don't think leaches clear cellular debris.

Expand full comment
Randall Wadsworth's avatar

Leeches suck the excess blood, reduce the swelling in the tissues, and promote healing by allowing fresh oxygenated blood to reach the area until normal circulation can be restored. Pain relief from leech therapy is rapid, effective, and long-lasting in many conditions. This information can be found by googling ‘leeches for wound healing’.

Expand full comment
Warrior Mom's avatar

ah, that makes sense. the maggots were supposed to literally eat the dead skin cells from around decubis (sp? bed sores)

Expand full comment
Sheila M Furey, MD's avatar

A great belly laugh. Well needed.

Expand full comment
Warrior Mom's avatar

omg... yup, quite the spit take there, boy-o. LMAO

Expand full comment
Laurel's avatar

😂😂

Expand full comment