Bloodletting

Bloodletting involved cutting a vein or applying leeches to remove blood. Purging used medicines that caused vomiting or emptied the bowels. These treatments followed the logic of restoring balance, but their purpose should not be confused with proof that they worked.

Bloodletting removed blood. A vein could be cut, often near the elbow, or leeches could be used to draw blood from the patient. Another method was cupping: a heated cup was placed over a cut to draw out blood.

Bloodletting was used to remove blood in an attempt to restore balance. It did not treat the bacterial infection and could weaken an already ill patient.