Leeches and Their Value in Polarity Therapy^[1]

and causes paralysis. Remarkable results have been obtained by this application in typical cases, even months after the stroke.

In acute inflammations of the spinal cord, like in meningitis, the application of leeches is very useful to encourage the flow of fresh blood to the inflamed membranes.

Leeches can be used very effectively around old varicose ulcers, on carbuncles, boils, bruises, black eyes due to injury, or anywhere where poisoned or dead blood accumulates and needs to be drained in order to allow the fresh blood to circulate and promote healing.

The point to be born in mind is that the leeches must be applied on the area of stagnation or inflammation in order to drain it of the sludge, and nowhere else. General venesection does not drain blocked local areas. In many instances, the bad-smelling, decayed blood drained out by the application of leeches, plus the relief felt by the patient, would be sufficient evidence to convince anyone of the effectiveness of this age-old therapy, PROPERLY USED. This also points to the necessity of not allowing this blood sludge to flow back into the general circulation. Nature often walls it off as abscesses, boils, carbuncles, etc. when the condition is still in an acute stage.

Leeches are applied to any selected area indicated by the presence of bad blood and its local symptomatic appearance.

The number of leeches to be used for a single application is governed by the vitality of the patient and the extent of the area to be drained. The patient must be under observation for at least six hours after the application, for fainting symptoms or hemorrhage due to badly decayed tissues, as in varicose ulcers. In such cases a natural antiseptic astringent, like Vitaminerals No. 120^[2], and elastic bandages should be kept handy.

The application of leeches is a responsible and tedious procedure and cannot be classed under routine therapy. Sufficient time must be set aside by the doctor to enable him to give the application his entire time and attention.

DIRECTIONS FOR APPLICATION: The surface to be treated should be thoroughly cleansed. The leeches are placed on the area and covered with a cold wet cloth to keep them from wandering about. Give them sufficient time to take hold and fill up. They will fall off by themselves, one by one, when fully engorged with blood. If a few stragglers hang on unreasonably long, sprinkle some table salt on them and they will let go at once. Also, as the leeches drop off, if you wish to see what rubbish they sucked out, disgorge them a few at a time, by placing them in a shallow bowl with a little water in it and sprinkling them with table salt. You can then show them to the patient while they disgorge, and, if interested, the patient can see for himself or herself the amount of black and sometimes foul smelling blood of which they have been relieved. For this one does not need a microscope as it can be seen with the naked eye, without the use of any instrument.

When the leeches have done their work, the area should be washed with liquid green soap and water, or Laronol which is made by Anabolic Foods.^[3] This is excellent as it has a lubricating action rather than a drying one which would stop the draining of the small outlets made by the leeches. Sterile gauze is then applied over the area, and thick cotton padding on top of that, so the blood which oozes out of the small outlets won't go through on the clothes and on the bedding.

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¹ NOTE: Medicinal usage of leeches is still widely practiced today. However, the receipt and use of medicinal leeches is a regulated practice. Legally, leeches cannot be used without an appropriate professional status. Dr. Stone's books were intended for primary care medical professionals who had such status. If you plan on incorporating leech therapy, be sure to learn the regulations and laws regarding its practice for your country and area.
² This product seems to no longer be in production.
³ Liquid green soap, also called tincture of green soap, is an alcohol-based soap commonly used in medical facilities. Laronol and the Anabolic Foods company seem to no longer be in production.