Hirudo medicinalis

Hirudo medicinalis is a species of leech, known as the medicinal leech, that is found in Europe and Asia. It is best known for its historical use in medicine for bloodletting.

Description

The medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, is a large freshwater leech that can grow up to 20 cm in length. It has a dark green or brown body with a lighter underside and six red stripes along its back. The leech has two suckers, one at each end, which it uses for movement and feeding.

Habitat

Hirudo medicinalis is found in freshwater habitats such as ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams. It prefers habitats with plenty of vegetation and muddy bottoms where it can hide from predators.

Diet

The medicinal leech feeds on the blood of vertebrates, including humans. It uses its suckers to attach to the skin of its host and then cuts through the skin with its sharp jaws. The leech then injects an anticoagulant into the wound to prevent the blood from clotting while it feeds.

Medical use

In the past, Hirudo medicinalis was widely used in medicine for bloodletting, a practice believed to balance the body's "humors" and cure a variety of ailments. Today, medicinal leeches are still used in some areas of medicine, such as plastic and reconstructive surgery, to help reduce swelling and improve circulation.

Conservation status

Hirudo medicinalis is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and over-collection for medical use.

See also

• Leech
• Bloodletting
• Anticoagulant
• Plastic surgery
• Reconstructive surgery

References

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  Hirudo medicinalis in its natural habitat

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  Leech on cow teat

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  A corpulent physician diagnoses more leeches for a young woman

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  Leech jar at Bedford Museum