I think that leeches are to be taken seriously when used to treating certain medical conditions. Examples include the treatment of black eyes, and the inflammation of the middle ear. Today there is a real clinical application in that they are of great value to plastic surgeons when venous congestion of skin and muscle flaps is a problem. Leeches are also being developed for experimental use as a systemic anticoagulant, and may prove useful in in vitro blood sampling.
