MAINTENANCE IN THE CLINIC

Leeches can survive one year or more without a blood meal. Therefore, it is recommended to keep 50-100 leeches in the laboratory/clinic by changing the water weekly. For this purpose, the leeches can be transferred every week to a second container, which was previously cleaned and rinsed thoroughly to remove any remains of disinfectants and where the water was kept for at least 24 hrs. for dichlorination, while dead leeches should be removed. The container should be filled up to 3/4 with water and covered with a towel or netting, which would allow the leeches to have access to fresh air, without being able to escape. A larger stone should be added into the container, which would help leeches during the process of shedding their integument. The container with leeches should be kept in a cool dark place. Approximately 8 leeches should be kept in 1 liter of water. Leeches should be handled gently by wearing nitrile or latex gloves, which would also prevent leeches from biting the health provider during maintenance of or treatment with leeches. Leeches should not be handled with forceps [35].

A. HISTORY
E. BIOLOGY
I. APPLICATION TO THE SKIN
M. CASE REPORTS
Q. MAINTENANCE IN THE CLINIC
V. EXTERNAL LINKS
B. LEECHES
F. THE SALIVA
J. THE BITE AND BITE REACTIONS
N. SIDE EFFECT
R. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
W. REFERENCES
C. MEDICINAL LEECHES
G. USE OF LEECHES IN MEDICINE
K. PROPHYLAXIS
O. CONTRAINDICATIONS
T. TRAINING COURSES
D. MORPHOLOGY
H. LEECHES IN PLASTIC SURGERY
L. TREATMENT
P. REMOVAL OF THE LEECHES
U. VETERINARY MEDICINE