Anytime I think of leeches I think of the movie “The
Amazing Panda Adventure”. There is one scene in particular when the boy and the
girl in the movie fall into a pond because the panda went over the edge of a
hill. They ran and fell down the hill into the water and when they got out they
realized that they were covered in leeches. They stripped all the way down and
realized they were naked in front of each other, screamed and ran into a clear
stream of water away from each other. This one particular scene is hilarious
and I recommend the movie to everyone.
However, back to the idea of leeches. When I think of
them I picture these slimy worms with circular mouth and long razor sharp
teeth. Here is a picture of them.
I personally get grossed out and disgusted when I look at them. It is amazing
that these creepy creatures actually contribute to the world of medicine. The
use of living animals in medical treatments is called biotherapy. It was
believed that this practice started 3,500 years ago with the ancient Egyptians
(“Maggots”).
How are leeches used in the medical field? They are placed
on the body of the patient (about one to six leeches). From there they are left
on from thirty to six hours (“Maggots”). This is because leeches saliva contains
a compound, also called an anticoagulant, which prevents blood from clotting
for hours. Leeches can take in several times its body weight in blood. This type of procedure is used in cases like reattachment of body
parts such as the ear. It is currently being researched, by Andreas Michalsen, in Germany how
leeches can help decrease pain and inflammation in diseases such as osteoarthritis
(“Maggots”).
I personally could not imagine having a bunch of blood
sucking leeches on my body for hours. I cannot imagine how that would feel or
if a person would feel them at all. It could be one of the consistent pains
that your brain gets use to after about fifteen minutes and then you just do
not feel it. I was curious as to how to remove a leech so I looked it up.
Before I did look it up I though it was like with a tick you could not just
pull it off because the head would still be there in the skin and it becomes a
real problem because the teeth are stuck in your arm and the head of the leech
or tick will not budge. How leeches are removed is by sliding your fingernail
under the smaller end up the leech then the other end quickly (“How”). I found
writing this blog post was both interesting and gross because like I said
leeches are disgusting to me. However, now they are becoming quite important to
us humans again and I would like to know even more about them
"How to
Remove a Leech." How to Remove a Leech. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb.
2013.
"Maggots and
Leeches: Old Medicine Is New." LiveScience.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 19
Feb. 2013.
I enjoyed reading this post. I have seen on a few documentaries, doctors using leeches. It was interesting because people used it in the old days and is now bringing it back. I too, would feel grossed out if I saw one but for a leech to suck your blood? I would faint.
ReplyDeleteThat was....a very interesting post. I never knew that leeches were used in the practice of medicine. I just thought they were nasty little creatures that have no purpose. When I think of animals and medicine, I think of bunny rabbits and mice. But back on topic, I couldn't see myself with a bunch of leeches on my body for anything. I'd just have to suffer with whatever illness I'd have *shrugs*.
ReplyDelete"From there they are left on from thirty to six hours (“Maggots”)"...did you mean thirty minutes to six hours?? Thirty minutes or six hours is way to long for me. How did you even think to write about leeches anyways?? I guess I've just never heard or even thought about leeches being used for medical purposes. Awesome post!
I happen to remember a leeches movie, too. It was called "Stand By Me" and the scenario was pretty similar to what you describe here, but on pandas, of course.
ReplyDeleteI'd like you to expand the discussion of using the leeches in medicine. It's not immediately clear *why* they're being used in your example. On bruises? Swelling? With injuries? And Jazman has a good point: from 30 to 6 is not a normal construction and it's unclear the time you mean, so definitely clarify...
My other suggestion wouldn't be to hyperlink to the image of the leech but use an actual image right in the post. That would make them stand out in this post, right? Don't make readers toggle away from your post to see these creatures in action!