suction on the skin. No incisions are made here.
This sucks blood to the surface. Cupping can also
be used with cutting to extract more blood
(DePalma, Hayes, and Zacharski 132-144).
Leeching is the practice of using leeches to suck
blood into or from different parts of the body. It
can be seen that there are many different methods
available. The end product is the same, to remove
blood from a patient’s body in order to relieve
symptoms or produce a cure.
after supposed over administration of bloodletting
(DePalma, Hayes, and Zacharski 132-144). These
high profile cases and alternative methods of
treatment, eventually caused bloodletting to fall
from favor amongst doctors. Despite public
opinion, nostalgic practitioners advocated for its
continued use. In an article from the British
Medical Journal in 1879, T. M. Greenhow and J.P.
Bramwell remarked at how seldom the practice
was being used in contemporary times, and argued
that lives would be saved if it were utilized more
often (797-798).
Tools used by the 19th century physician for bleeding. Source:
Gemrig, 1866 www.medicalantiques.com
In modern times, people are starting to
revisit applications of the ancient practice. Blood
Letting is commonly used today to treat people
who suffer from conditions that cause too much
iron in the blood. Hemochromatosis is an
example of this type of disease. Bloodletting also
helps to relieve pressure from internal
hemorrhaging and swelling. If someone needs
blood, there are donation centers that take and
store blood from others until it is required.
Leeches have been used to suck blood back into
reattached amputated digits. Finally, cupping is
used daily in traditional Asian medicine. So it can
be seen that Phlebotomy continues to be a source
of healing every day.
Bloodletting in the 18th century.
Source: National Library of Medicine
The most obvious danger of this type of
treatment is over bleeding. What happens when
too much blood is taken? Sometimes, patients
would die, but not always. Thomas Martin, who
was at the end of his medical career in 1865
admitted to giving patients opium to treat those
who had lost too much blood (Martin, 153).
American founding father George Washington is
said to have died because of too much blood
letting. There was even a malpractice trial, in
which the doctor won and received a settlement
that in today’s currency equals nearly $80,000.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is another famous
historical figure who died (at the young age of 35)
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