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Bleeder (with leeches)

P

Peter Walker

gone but not forgotten
Yes, 150 years ago there were regularly about 20 people in the Birmingham directories engaged in this glamorous job. They were mostly women, who presumably used their front room as a surgery. I have looked through the Classified trades section of several old directories now, and have found few other paramedical professions listed, although cosmetics and manufacturers of artificial digits etc. often appear.
We don't realise today how important leeches were in medicine years ago. Apparently they're now making a comeback in cancer treatment.
Peter
 
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