By Vania Raebel | June 21, 2019
During ancient times, doctors examined the menstruation process in women and decided that its purpose was to flush “bad humors” from the body. They then surmised that any release of blood from the body could be curative.
This odd set of assumptions led to the development of “bloodletting,” a process in which doctors withdrew blood from their patients (often with leeches) in order to prevent or cure diseases. They believed this would balance the blood and promote health.
