Leeches free essay sample

This paper looks at the use of leeches in the field of medicine. This paper investigates the many different roles that leeches can play in the medical field. Some of the topics covered include the history of their use, their role in assisting blood clotting and surgery and their use in helping to stem blood loss during surgery to repair a lost of damaged limb. The author uses several different studies and case histories to illustrate his thesis. The Hirudo Medicinalis leech has demonstrated exceptional usefulness to medicine and health care, particularly in the plastic and reconstructive surgery fields, where torn tissues require time for delicate repair procedures (Concannon), but which is prevented by normal blood clotting. An adult leech placed on the clot will devour it up to five times its body within half an hour. When it has sucked enough, it falls off and fresh blood oozes out of the bite wound for as long as 10 hours (Did You Know?), long enough to allow the surgeon to perform procedures that will save that body part. We will write a custom essay sample on Leeches or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The leeches hirudin inhibits blood clotting while the parasites suck and likewise renders the sucked part insensitive by its anesthetic properties. An adult leech can also take in up to 15 ml of blood, which is 10 times its average body weight (Biophram). It can also survive for a full year without needing additional feeding or sucking.