Аuthor: Aldanova Aziza
In the modern world, biotherapy treatment is one of the relevant topics. Hirudotherapy is a method in alternative medicine where treatment is carried out using hirudo (medical leeches) grown in the laboratory. In modern times, Russia is the only country where medical leeches are used along with medicines. Also, it is worth considering the medical and social aspects of hirudotherapy in modern medicine.
Hirudotherapy or bdelloto therapy originates from ancient times, it is mentioned in Persian, Hebrew, and Indian texts. Over the millennium of treatment, bloodletting was considered one of the popular treatment methods, and hirudotherapy was considered as one of the methods. For the first time, the ancient Roman scientist Pliny the Elder (before the 1st century BC) wrote about worms in his Natural Stories, drawing attention to positive changes in the body after using leeches. He argued that leeches help with “aches and fever,” and Nikander from Colophon (210-130 BC) is considered the founder of the method. Ibn Sina also paid great attention to medical leeches, in his treatise "Canon of medical science." At that time, leeches were used for concussion, kidney disease, liver, joints, in the treatment of tuberculosis, epilepsy, hysteria and many other diseases. The influence of hirudotherapy is also known in historical cases, for example, Napoleon imported more than 6 million leeches from Hungary to treat soldiers. Other sources claim the birth of hirudotherapy in India, with the founder of Ayurveda, Sri Dhanvantari, and the Dhanvantari era is considered the beginning of hirudotherapy, from which there are about 250 centuries.
An interesting fact in the history of hirudotherapy is the export of leeches along with cereal crops, and there was some kind of prey. In the XVIII century, leeches were used not only for treatment but also for preventive purposes.
From the results of the experiments and the study of hirudotherapy, it is believed that the Moscow clinic “Med Leech” functioned until 1956. In this center, more than 100 patients suffered from cardiovascular diseases who attended the course. Positive aspects were identified in the treatment of epilepsy, drowsiness, rheumatism, osteomyelitis, and other diseases. In 1990, the World Society of Hirudologists was created and a year later the first congress on the use of leeches for medical purposes was organized. But with the development of scientific medicine in the second half of the 19th century, due to the introduction of antiseptic rules, the use of leeches was sharply reduced, since they became considered carriers of infectious diseases. Leeches did not save bactericidal properties for the resumption of hirudotherapy in modern times.
However, based on new research, a couple of decades ago a new stage of hirudotherapy began. According to the results of modern research, it was found that leech saliva contains a large number of enzymes that contribute to pain relief, blood thinning, resorption of fibrous tissue, and suppression of inflammation. Leeches were grown in biological factories and underwent special medical supervision, these innovations distinguish a new era from the ancient era of hirudotherapy. Moreover, after therapy, leeches were destroyed, which was the prevention from many other diseases that are transmitted through the blood.
Over the past 10 years, hirudotherapy has established itself on the positive side, meeting all the norms and standards of pharmacological requirements. Many scientists have used hirudotherapy in the treatment of diseases such as psoriasis, a positive effect was the reduction of complaints of itching of the skin, erythema. According to scientists, the main advantage of leech therapy was the possibility of influencing several pathologies at the same time, which allowed not only eliminating the cause of the disease, but also activating the mechanisms of cleansing the patient's body, normalizing energy metabolism, and regulating the physiological functions of systems. Also, scientists like A.I. Krashenyuk, S.V. Krashenyuk and considered treatment to prevent and reduce the risk of having a baby with cerebral palsy.
It is worth noting that with the development of the pharmacological industry, chemotherapy treatment is cheaper than hirudotherapy, which increases consumer demand for this method of therapy. However, it is worth considering what consequences may be caused by unverified leeches, which do not meet sanitary standards.
Prevention and treatment is the main purpose of the hirudotherapy, and with the help of medical leeches, this is easier to achieve without causing consequences. Hirudotherapy is not only a treatment for certain diseases but also prevention to reduce the risk of developing many possible diseases. However, the use of this therapy has not reached widespread use in modern times as in the 19th centurу.
25/06/2020
