Olservations on the Leech-tvorm. 377 



water is the best. Sometimes it is necessary, when there 

 is a great change of tefiiperaiure between the water and 

 that contained \i\ the phial, only to put halFor two-thirds of 

 tbe fresli to the other. Leeches should be kept in a cool 

 situation in summer, and a rather warm one in winter. 



3. The leeehes that have been used lor bleeding should 

 be kept in a separate phial till they appear perfectly well. 



Directions for using Leeches in Bleeding. 



1. It is necessary to clean the skin from any fo.'ign 

 matter * that may have been applied or adheres to it, with 

 soap and water : afterwards rub it dry with a clean cloth, 

 as lin.menlSj &c. which are frequently applied incases of 

 bruises, or sprains, prevent them from taking hold, and if 

 iiny do so, iliey die : any part where hair grows must be 

 cle^n shaved, to prevent the hair 'rom annoying them. 

 These arc precautions thai are necessary. 



2. When leeches are applied, the patient should be in 

 as horizontal a position as iios^ible. Then lake a wine or 

 any other glass large enough to give room for the quantity 

 that it is wished to take bold at once, being much better 

 than the fingers; it gives the worms free motion in their' 

 circumscribed limits, retains them in thtir proper place, 

 and supports them from faHinjr. The glass should be re- 

 clined on one side to admit a free access of air. The leeches 

 should be chosen large, to answer their purposes the more 

 efiectually. When they seem sufficiently tilled, a small 

 portion of salt should be pvit to their mouths, which will 

 cause them to fall off, being better than taking them with 

 the lingers, as it bruises them. 



Treatment of the Leeches after they arc satiated with Blood. 



Place the leech on a clean plate ; lake a little common 

 ealt rubbed fine, about the size of a pinch of snutl, and 

 place it in contact with the mouth of the worm ; it will 

 remain a short time in a stale of torpor, after which it will 

 disgorge part of the blood : a little more salt may then be 

 placed near its mouth, repeating it until it is all disgorged, 

 taking care that no part of the salt touch any oilier part of 

 its body, which blisters, and is frequently the death of the 

 leech. When the worm returns to its natural size, it mav thtn 

 be put into a bason of water : if it has received no injury it 

 will trisk about and appear lively, if sickly it will sink to 

 Jhc bottom : should this be the case, place it in a separate 



» Such as tb linimcijtuin sapoiiis, suluu'o ^inmonix vol;<tiIis &c. 



phial 



