A leech is related to the earthworm. It lives in water and it only feeds on blood.
A long time ago, people used to think that high fevers were caused by too much blood in the body. The only solution at that time was to use a leech.
When a leech is placed on human skin it bites with tiny teeth and hangs on with front and rear suckers located at both ends of its body. Its saliva has certain chemicals which make blood flow. The saliva also contains and anesthetic, so the bite may not be noticed.
Doctors used the blood sucking leech for centuries. They stopped about 60 years ago! Amazingly the leech has made a dramatic comeback. Today it is used in plastic and reconstructive surgery to help save transplanted skin flaps that have become congested with blood.© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
