French leech jar, c 1870
On application
A french leech bowl, cv 1870. Leeches were used for bleeding for many ages, the leeches were placed on the patient and drank their fill, to be used again several days later they kept stored, dry or in water, in a glass or ceramic jar. The top would be covered by a piece of muslim to let the air in for breathing and also to keep them from escaping.The fabric ‘lid’ was secured in place by tying string around the typically everted lip.
