Vérgyjtés

Vérgyjtés, commonly known as bloodletting, is an ancient medical practice that involves the removal of blood from a patient to cure or prevent illness or to improve the patient's health. The technique has roots in various ancient cultures, including those of Egypt, Greece, China, and the Americas, and was widely practiced in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

The practice was based on the theory of the four humors, a medical model originating from ancient Greek medicine. According to this theory, illness was caused by an imbalance in the four bodily fluids, or humors: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. Bloodletting was believed to restore balance by removing excess blood, which was often associated with conditions like fever, inflammation, or overactive emotions. Physicians and healers used various methods to perform vérgyjtés, including leeches, cupping, scarification, and venesection, where blood was drawn directly from veins using sharp instruments.

In the 19th century, with the rise of germ theory and the development of modern medicine, vérgyjtés fell out of favor. Studies showed that bloodletting often worsened infections and did not effectively treat diseases. However, some limited applications persisted in certain contexts, such as treating polycythemia vera, a condition characterized by an excess of red blood cells. Today, vérgyjtés is primarily of historical and cultural significance, studied as a reflection of early medical thought and practices.

Despite its historical use, vérgyjtés remains controversial due to its risks, including anemia, infection, and even death in severe cases. Modern medicine has largely rejected the practice, though some alternative medicine practitioners still advocate for its use in specific, carefully controlled scenarios. The legacy of vérgyjtés serves as a reminder of the evolution of medical knowledge and the importance of evidence-based practices in healthcare.