For nearly 2,000 years leeches have been used in phlebotomy. As late as 100 years ago leech gathering was a major rural occupation in Europe, but nowadays among physicians the speech is in bad repute. Nonetheless, in Manhattan last week Reporter A. J. Liebling of the World-Telegram interviewed one Bernhard Berkitz who for 35 years has made his living as a leech-dealer.
Said he: "See what a nice leech. See how quick it takes. . . . The domestic leech sticks, but it does not absorb. The best leeches come from Germany and Sweden. During the War...
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