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Infested by leeches

Michael Mosley from 'Infested' interviews a surgeon who is pioneering the use of leeches in medical research. Michael Mosley allows a leech to attach to his arm and suck his blood. The mouth of the leech is seen in close up. The leech multiplies its body mass by six or seven times and will now not need to feed for several months. The surgeon describes how leeches are used to release excess blood from parts of human bodies that have been reattached (eg a finger). He describes how leeches contain the most powerful anticoagulant known to man.

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Duration:

4 minutes

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