Comment on Dr 4Chan's Medical Advice
wrath_of_grunge@kbin.social 7 months ago
i mean, as part of my job, i routinely take area hospitals medical grade leeches. it's not like they ever stopped being used by doctors.
Comment on Dr 4Chan's Medical Advice
wrath_of_grunge@kbin.social 7 months ago
i mean, as part of my job, i routinely take area hospitals medical grade leeches. it's not like they ever stopped being used by doctors.
chicken@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 months ago
Why would you use a leech instead of a needle or something? What are they for
starman2112@sh.itjust.works 7 months ago
Not OP, but apparently they’re useful for when you want a continuous, slow drain of blood. The ones they breed for hospitals don’t carry disease, so you can just kinda plonk it onto the spot that you want blood out of, and replace it when it gets full
FilterItOut@thelemmy.club 7 months ago
Wait until you find out what they still use maggots for…
spiderman@ani.social 7 months ago
what the fuck?
can@sh.itjust.works 7 months ago
They’re really good at eating dead rotting flesh?
Perfide@reddthat.com 7 months ago
It’s less about the blood they suck out and more about their saliva. It’s a natural anticoagulant.
boogetyboo@aussie.zone 7 months ago
Amputation sites I think? The suction attracts blood flow to the area and supports healing/retention of blood vessels… I think. Neither one of us clearly can be bothered googling but that’s what I recall…
rickyrigatoni@lemm.ee 7 months ago
google makes things too easy. great thinks were thunked back in the day where people had nothing but their own minds to consult.
Goldmage263@sh.itjust.works 7 months ago
And bad thunks are thinked just as much now as then. Truly the worst of times
MrShankles@reddthat.com 7 months ago
For skin grafts after burns; the leeches’ saliva has anticoagulants that helps blood flow through the microvasculature (tiny blood vessels) of the area. This helps promote growth of new blood vessels, as well as improve the health of the current blood vessels in the area.
TLDR: Helps tiny blood vessels in skin grafts (and other procedures), reduces failure of said skin grafts
Natanael@slrpnk.net 7 months ago
If anybody’s wondering if there aren’t more modern medicines and treatments…
Yes, but leeches are cheap
GraniteM@lemmy.world 7 months ago
Others have already mentioned limb reattachment and anticoagulants, but if you’re interested in learning more, I highly recommend a book called Dark Banquet: Blood and the Curious Lives of Blood-Feeding Creatures. Leeches, mosquitoes, bedbugs, and vampire bats are fascinating!