Blood-Letting

Definition

Blood-letting is an old medical practice where blood is drawn from a patient to cure or prevent illness and disease. It was believed that removing blood would balance the humors and promote health.

Related terms

Leeching: A method of blood-letting where leeches are applied to the skin to suck out 'bad' blood.

Phlebotomy: The practice of drawing blood for therapeutic purposes or medical testing.

Venesection: A type of blood-letting that involves cutting a vein, often with a lancet.