Sucking up to you

Leaches have been sucking up to humans for thousands of years-even wall paintings in Egyptian tombs show these blood-thirsty worms (Hirudo medicinalis) busy at their work. Even into the early 20th century leaches were used for everything from headaches to hemorrhoids. Most recently, leaches have been found effective in treating osteoarthritis of the knee, with reports of significant reduction of pain within a week after treatment. Since knee problems are a perennial complaint among athletes, will leaches be the next gym bag necessity? You can't, of course, pick up a handful at the local health food and vitamin outlet-at least not yet. For the moment, if you are eager to get sucked up to, you can actually order (minimum of seven: they're gregarious) and the portable home necessary form keeping them in sight, from a company called (what else?) Leeches USA, based (where else?) in New York City. You might also want to leach on to another important notion: leech saliva contains know anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant molecules.

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