358 Leech-lore. 



"the singular dental apparatus found in the medicinal leech, 

 and considering the nature of the food upon which it usually 

 lives, it is difficult to avoid arriving at the conclusion that such 

 a structure is rather a provision intended to render these 

 creatures subservient to the alleviation of human suffering than 

 necessary to supply the wants of the animals themselves. In 

 the streams and ponds which they usually dwell, any oppor- 

 tunity of meeting with a supply of the blood of warm-blooded 

 vertebrata must be of rare occurrence, so that comparatively 

 few are ever enabled to indulge the instinct that prompts them 

 to gorge themselves so voraciously when allowed to obtain it. 

 Neither does it appear that the blood which they swallow with 

 so much avidity is a material properly suited to afford them 

 nourishment ; for although it is certainly true that it will 

 remain for a considerable time in its stomach without becoming 

 putrid, yet it is well known that most frequently the death of 

 the leech is caused by such inordinate repletion, provided the 

 greater portion of what is taken into the body is not speedily 

 regurgitated through the mouth.'" 



The enormous consumption of leeches may well convince us 

 of their general value. M, Moquin-Tandon, in, 1846, estimated 

 the annual demand in France to be from twenty to thirty million. 

 Paris requiring three millions every year. It would be difficult to 

 name any other creature so low in the scale of creation that 

 possesses such high commercial importance. The prices paid 

 for leeches are subject to variation. In 1806 they were worth 

 at Paris from twelve to fifteen francs per thousand; in 1815 

 from thirty to thirty-six francs; in 1821, during the winter, 

 they were worth from one hundred and fifty to two hundred and 

 eighty francs per thousand. M. H. Cloquet affirms that in 

 America and in India the price of a single leech has been known 

 to be as high as three or five francs and even a guinea. It has 

 already been stated that dealers frequently gorge the leeches ; 

 on this Dr. Christison remarks : " The gorging of leeches is a 

 more common fraud than the substitution of spurious species ; 

 they are known by being less velvety in their coat, less flat 

 when pressed, and by presenting a little tumour when squeezed 

 between the fingers from the head to the tail. Leeches which 

 have been used are often sold for unused or ' virgin' leeches. 

 These are best known by putting them on a white cloth, and 

 dusting their fore part with finely-powdered salt. In thirty 

 seconds a little blood will be emitted, but not a particle if the 

 leech be quite fresh." 



Leeches are caught in various ways. People wade into the 

 water inhabited by these worms, and the leeches clinging to 

 their naked legs, are thus picked off. They are taken by the 

 hand or in nets. Women and children are employed in their 



