blodutstötning

Blodutstötning, also known as bloodletting or phlebotomy, is a medical practice that was historically used to treat a wide range of illnesses. The underlying principle was the belief that many diseases were caused by an excess of blood or an imbalance of bodily humors. By removing blood, it was thought that the body could be purged of these harmful substances, restoring health.

The practice varied in technique. Common methods included venesection, where a vein was cut, and cupping, where heated cups were applied to the skin to draw blood to the surface, sometimes combined with scarification (small cuts). Leeches were also frequently used for blood removal. Bloodletting was performed by physicians, barbers, and even individuals at home.

Historically, bloodletting was a widespread treatment across many cultures and time periods, from ancient Egypt and Greece through to the 19th century. It was prescribed for conditions ranging from fevers and infections to headaches and epilepsy. While it was a standard medical intervention for centuries, its efficacy was eventually questioned, particularly as scientific understanding of physiology and disease progressed.

Modern medicine has largely abandoned bloodletting as a therapeutic practice. However, phlebotomy, the practice of drawing blood, is still essential in modern healthcare. It is now used for diagnostic purposes, such as blood tests to assess health conditions, and for therapeutic reasons in specific cases like polycythemia vera, where excess red blood cells are removed to prevent complications. Therapeutic phlebotomy is performed under strict medical supervision and for clearly defined medical indications, a stark contrast to its historical widespread and often indiscriminate use.