Annelids of the class Hirudinea. Some species, the bloodsuckers, may become temporarily parasitic upon animals, including man. Medicinal leeches (HIRUDO MEDICINALIS) have been used therapeutically for drawing blood since ancient times.
    

concept

John Bull as the patient of promotors of competing therapies; representing British parliamentary reform. Aquatint by S. de Wilde, 1809.

Three leeches in the role of physicians attend a grasshopper in the role of the patient and propose diet and bloodletting. Coloured lithograph after J.J. Grandville, ca. 1832.

Anybody ill? : (I'm Doctor Quack) : the popular humorous song / music by Alfred Lee ; sung by Alf. Walker.

A physician administers leeches to a patient; advertising Knoll diuretic medicine. Colour process print, 19--, after L. Boilly, 1827.

A fierce battle between the supporters of John Brown (Bruno), in favour of treatment with stimulants, and those of F.J.V. Broussais, in favour of bloodletting. Pen drawing.

Exposé de l'état actuel de nos connaissances et observations personelles sur la terminaison des nerfs dans les muscles lisses de la sangsue : précédés de la bibliographie des travaux parus sur l'innervation des muscles lisses en général / par J.F. Heymans.

Leeches

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Catalogue

A fierce battle between the supporters of John Brown (Bruno), in favour of treatment with stimulants, and those of F.J.V. Broussais, in favour of bloodletting. Pen drawing.

Exposé de l'état actuel de nos connaissances et observations personelles sur la terminaison des nerfs dans les muscles lisses de la sangsue : précédés de la bibliographie des travaux parus sur l'innervation des muscles lisses en général / par J.F. Heymans.

Curious cures of old Yorkshire : a collection of remedies, health superstitions and medical memories / Dulcie Lewis.

Traité de la sangsue médicinale / par Louis Vitet ... publié par P.J. Vitet son fils.

London: Miscellany, 19th and 20th centuries