Bloodletting

Bloodletting (or blood-letting, in modern medicine referred to as phlebotomy) was a popular medical practice from antiquity up to the late 19th century, involving the withdrawal of often considerable quantities of blood from a patient in the belief that this would cure or prevent illness and disease. The practice has been largely abandoned due to its proven ineffectiveness against all but a few conditions.

Related Topics:
Medical - 19th century - Blood - Disease

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The term "phlebotomy" is still sometimes used for the taking of blood for laboratory analysis or blood transfusion.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~