Medicinal leech

While walking along the shore of the lake, we may notice leeches in the shallow water near the bank. They were already being used in medicine 3,000 years ago and were considered beneficial in treating circulatory disorders, joint problems and high blood pressure. They feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. Using their teeth, they attach themselves to the skin and suck blood until they are full, after which they detach. Their saliva contains an anaesthetic, along with several other useful compounds, so their presence is barely felt.

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