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The emergency management of a medicinal leech bite

1989; Elsevier BV; Volume: 18; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0196-0644(89)80422-6

1097-6760

Stephen L. Adams,

Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia

Leeches have been used as a medicinal remedy for years untold. Recently, there appears to have been a resurgence in the use of the medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis. Presented is the case of a patient who called the emergency department for advice concerning the management of a bleeding leech bite. We discuss briefly the pharmacologically active salivary contents of the leech and an approach to the emergency therapy of a medicinal leech bite.