File:Pewter box for transporting leeches, Europe, 1801-1900 Wellcome L0057148.jpg

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Pewter box for transporting leeches, Europe, 1801-1900
Title
Pewter box for transporting leeches, Europe, 1801-1900
Description

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 treatment that by 1830 demand was outstripping the supply. They are a type of worm with suckers at both ends of the body, although only the frontal sucker, which has teeth, is used to feed. Once attached to a living body, they feed on its blood. Leeches normally live in freshwater and collecting them from river beds was traditionally a female occupation.

This box is made of pewter and has air holes in one end. The word “LEECHES” is engraved on the side. Few leech boxes have survived.

maker: Unknown maker

Place made: United Kingdom

Wellcome Images
Keywords: Bloodletting; leech box

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This file comes from Wellcome Images, a website operated by Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation based in the United Kingdom. Refer to Wellcome blog post (archive).
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References
  • Library reference: Science Museum A42423
  • Photo number: L0057148
Source/Photographer

https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/1f/4e/841bc1d4104a23f4f1370da66149.jpg

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current07:34, 17 October 2014Thumbnail for version as of 07:34, 17 October 20142,832 × 4,256 (1.23 MB) (talk | contribs)=={{int:filedesc}}== {{Artwork |artist = |author = |title = Pewter box for transporting leeches, Europe, 1801-1900 |description = Specific types of leech were used in bloodletting and this special box would h...

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