Leeches

The Indians say: among leeches there are those whose nature contains poisonousness. Therefore, you should avoid all leeches with a large head and those that are dark, blackish in color, that are green, or with hairs, or that look like an eel, as well as those that have azure stripes, and those that are similar in color to a chameleon. All such leeches are poisonous, and their use causes swelling, fainting, bleeding, fever, relaxation and bad ulcers.

You should also avoid leeches caught in fetid, bad water, and, conversely, choose leeches that are caught in water covered with duckweed and in water where frogs are found, not paying attention to conversations like leeches found in water abounding in frogs , bad. And let the leeches be of different colors, with a predominance of green, and let them have two stripes of orpiment color.

Also good are leeches that are red, bluish, with round sides, and liver-colored leeches, as well as those that are similar in color to small locusts, and leeches that look like a mouse tail, and thin leeches with a small head. Do not choose leeches with a red belly and a green back, especially if they are in running water.

Leeches draw blood from greater depths than cups. They should be caught the day before consumption, and if possible, they should be induced to vomit by holding them upside down so that what is in their stomach comes out. Then they need to be given a little sheep's blood or other blood so that they are nourished before they are placed. Then they are taken and cleaned of mucus and dirt with something like a sponge, the place where they are placed is washed with bavrak, and rubbed red-hot. After this, when they want to consume the leeches, they are put into fresh water, where they are cleaned, after which they are placed on the body.

One of the ways to make leeches bite into the body more quickly is to rub a given place on the body with dirt from the head or blood.

When the leeches are full and... they have a little salt, ash, bavrac, burnt linen rag, burnt sponge or burnt wool on them.

After the leeches fall off, it is best to take and suck out a little blood from that place with a jar, along with which the harmful effects of the leech and its bite will go away.

If the bleeding does not stop, then sprinkle the wound with burnt ink nuts, lime, ash, finely crushed shards or some other hemostatic agent. The one who places the leeches should have a cup of leeches ready. Leeches are very good to use for skin diseases, such as flaking, ringworm, red spots on the skin, freckles and other diseases.