Blood-letting

Blood-letting

Blood-letting, also known as bloodletting or phlebotomy, is a medical practice that involves the withdrawal of blood from a patient to prevent or cure illness and disease. Historically, it was one of the most common medical practices performed by physicians from antiquity until the late 19th century, a span of almost 2,000 years.

History

Blood-letting has its origins in ancient medicine and was based on the humoral theory of medicine, which posited that the body was composed of four humors: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. An imbalance in these humors was thought to cause disease, and blood-letting was used to restore balance.

Ancient Practices

The practice of blood-letting can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. The Greek physician Hippocrates (c. 460 – c. 370 BC) and later Galen (129 – c. 200/216 AD) were influential in promoting the practice. Galen, in particular, believed that blood was the dominant humor and that its excess could lead to various ailments.

Medieval and Renaissance Periods

During the medieval period, blood-letting became a common practice in Europe. It was often performed by barber-surgeons, who were not formally trained physicians but were skilled in minor surgical procedures. The practice continued into the Renaissance, with many prominent figures, including Andreas Vesalius, contributing to its development.

18th and 19th Centuries

In the 18th and 19th centuries, blood-letting reached its peak in popularity. It was used to treat a wide range of conditions, from fevers to mental illness. However, by the late 19th century, the practice began to decline as new medical theories and practices emerged, such as germ theory and the development of antiseptics.

Methods

Blood-letting was performed using various methods, including:

• Venesection: The most common method, involving the cutting of a vein to release blood.
• Cupping: Involves placing heated cups on the skin to create suction and draw blood to the surface.
• Leeching: The use of leeches to draw blood from the patient.

Modern Perspective

Today, blood-letting is largely considered an outdated and ineffective treatment for most conditions. However, it is still used in certain medical conditions such as hemochromatosis and polycythemia vera, where it is known as therapeutic phlebotomy.

Also see

• Humorism
• Galen
• History of medicine
• Therapeutic phlebotomy

‎