Procedure: Attai vidal
The leeches were allowed to bite at the affected site. The anterior
tapering part (head) of each leech was made to attach to the area around
the ulcer, which was presented just above the right medial malleolus of
the right leg. Within a few seconds, the leeches got attached to the
sites around the ulcer; some of them didn’t get attached, so a single
drop of blood was made to ooze out by using a pricking needle without
damaging the ulcer site. After that, the unbitten leeches were bitten at
the sites, and all the leeches were left undisturbed. A small piece of
gauze dipped in water should be placed over each leech. The leeches
slowly started to suck the blood. The leeches were frequently examined
(every 10 minutes or so) to make sure that they were still in place. All
the leeches dropped themselves off in 20–40 minutes after sucking the
blood. The leeches, which had not fallen for more than one hour, were
dusted with turmeric powder at the site of their bite. Then the leeches
fell automatically. The time of biting and dropped time of every leech
were noted and documented.