Description
LEECHES WERE USED FOR BLEEDING FOR MANY AGES, THE LEECHES WERE PLACED ON THE PATIENT AND DRANK THEIR FILL, TO BE USED AGAIN SEVERAL DAYS LATER THEY KEPT STORED, DRY OR IN WATER, IN A GLASS OR CERAMIC JAR. THE TOP WOULD BE COVERED BY A PIECE OF MUSLIM TO LET THE AIR IN FOR BREATHING AND ALSO TO KEEP THEM FROM ESCAPING.THE FABRIC ‘LID’ WAS SECURED IN PLACE BY TYING STRING AROUND THE TYPICALLY EVERTED LIP.
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Van Leest Antiques
Van Leest Antiques
Van Leest Antiques, based in Utrecht in the Netherlands, specialises in antique scientific and medical instruments. Their collection covers mainly scientific and medical antique instruments: barometers, globes and planataria, nautical instruments, anatomical models, and pharmacy items. Toon Van Leest travels regularly in Europe and visits trade fairs, auctions, and antique dealers to collect stock and to find pieces to fulfil his clients' unusual requests.
As well as being an avid antique collector and dealer, Toon Van Leest is also a dentist. He believes that antiques are a stable investment, not reliant on trends or fashion, and have truly lasting value. Above all, he says, antiques are timeless and never lose their beauty.