Accounts of the use of leeches for the medically dubious practise of blood-letting have come from China around 30 AD, India around 200 AD, ancient Rome around 50 AD and later throughout Europe. In the 19th century medical demand for leeches was so high that some areas' stocks were exhausted and other regions imposed restrictions or bans on exports, and Hirudo medicinalis is treated as an endangered species by both IUCN and CITES. More recently leeches have been used to assist in microsurgery, and their saliva has provided anti-inflammatory compounds and several important anticoagulants, one of which also prevents tumors from spreading. COUNT 5
QSN1 When did leeches begin being used for blood-letting? ANS1 30 AD QSN2 Where did leeches begin being used for blood-letting? ANS2 China QSN3 When did Rome begin using leeches? ANS3 50 AD QSN4 When did India begin using leeches? ANS4 200 AD QSN5 Which organizations list Hirudo medicinalis as endangered? ANS5 IUCN and CITES