Box for Transporting Leeches, 19th Century

Pewter box for transporting leeches, Europe, 19th century. Specific types of leech were used in bloodletting and this special box would have been used to transport them to where they were needed. Leeches were such a popular medical treatment that by 1830 demand was outstripping the supply. Once attached to a living body, they feed on its blood. This box is made of pewter and has air holes in one end. Few leech boxes have survived. Supplied by Science Museum, London, courtesy of Wellcome Images

Restrictions Only for Ireland and United Kingdom

Blood-letting Bloodletting Breathing Draining Leech Letting Medicinal Pewter Transporting Vein

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