THE HOLLOWEEN SERIES - BLOOD SUCKERS

Not all leeches are blood sucking parasites.  Some are predators.  Some are scavengers.  But those leeches that are blood sucking parasites are pretty awesome.  Let’s proceed and focus on them.  They have three razor sharp jaws that they use to saw into your skin.  If you noticed them, you’d remove them which would thwart their feeding efforts.  That would be bad for the leeches.  Many leeches an anesthetic, so you don’t feel their jaws penetrate as they begin to pump your life blood.  To keep the blood flowing, leeches release the anticoagulant (hirudin) which we copy today in our medical treatments.  Some leeches even release an antibiotic before dropping off and going on their way.  Leeches were applied during the Middle Ages to treat headaches and other illnesses, thought to be caused by bad blood.  You could receive this treatment at a barber shop.  Barbers used to place a pole out with colors that advertised their services.  Red advertised leeches.