FDA Approves Leeches As Medical Devices

[matcom]

<snip>

A French company is the first since 1976 to receive clearance to market leeches as medical devices in the United States.

For many people, leeches conjure up the image of Humphrey Bogart removing the bloodsuckers from his body in the film "The African Queen."

But leeches have been used as an alternative treatment to bloodletting and amputation for several thousand years. They reached their height of medicinal use in the mid-1800s.

Today, they are used in medicine throughout the world as tools in skin grafts and reattachment surgery. By removing pooled blood, leeches can help heal skin grafts and restore blood circulation in blocked veins.

http://www.wftv.com/health/3470048/detail.html

[slinkerwink]

1. they approve leeches but they won't approve OTC morning after pills?!

:wtf:

[LynneSin]

5. Heck they may also be approving of maggots

I watched a documentary on National Geographic and there are hospitals that are using maggots for treatment of dead tissues on wounds. Seems these nasty little critters only eat dead tissue and are real handy for cleaning up massive wounds and preventing infections and gangrene

[underpants]

2. Ah yes the medical practices of the mid-1800's

What was the name of the SNL skit with Steve Martin as the "barber" whose answer for everything was bloodletting?

[Sporadicus]

3. Theodoric of York n/t

[Sporadicus]

4. Leeches Have Legitimate Medical Uses

It's pig-ignorance and greed on the part of the AMA to keep alternative medical treatment with proven value unavailable to the public. I'm glad to see their return for some treatments.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

6. I thought the ENTIRE U.S. Government approved of leeches. (nt)