2007-01-05 09:12:17 · 5 answers · asked by Lizzie 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Apparently my homework asks that question...so I was hopeing if anyone knew.
2007-01-05 09:15:16 · update #1
"Barbers" used to do a lot more than cut hair. Back in medeival Europe, barbers used to take care of people's general physical well-being. They used leeches in healing because they believed that illnesses were caused by tainted or cursed blood. The leeches drained the bad blood, and people were supposed to get better. Most of the time it didn't work, but occasionally there was a positive effect. Leeches are still used today in certain types of medical procedures, because of the anticoagulative properties of their saliva.
2007-01-05 09:22:55 · answer #1 · answered by Danzarth 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At one time, barbers actually practiced medicine (or the closest approximation of it in their day) - many even performed surgery. The use of leeches for medicinal purposes goes back to the days of the ancient Greeks. In fact, the use of leeches has once again become popular in limb reattachment surgery.
The leech's saliva contains hirudin, an anticoagulant, which prevents blood clotting.
2007-01-05 09:29:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
leeches are used to stop bleeding. they have an enzyme that promotes the cogagulation of blood.
2007-01-05 09:20:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're talking about people who cut hair, that is not true what so ever that's the craziest thing I've ever heard.
2007-01-05 09:20:07 · answer #4 · answered by 412 KiD 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
HUH WHERE'D YOU GET THAT FROM
2007-01-05 09:14:14 · answer #5 · answered by jucindam 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋