The FDA has approved a firm to sell leeches for medical therapy. COMMENT: leeches are thought to be a natural method of cleansing wounds, among other claims. The approval is interesting, but it seems unlikely that doctors will adopt the procedure any time soon, given the possibility of transmitting an infectious disease from the leech to the patient.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health...8-leeches_x.htm

Historical Article: Hirudo medicinalis: ancient origins of, and trends in the use of medicinal leeches throughout history.

Whitaker IS, Rao J, Izadi D, Butler PE.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...t_uids=15013545

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2004 Apr;42(2):133-7.