BLOODLETTING Meaning and
Definition
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Bloodletting is a medical practice that involves the intentional removal of blood from a person's body in order to treat various conditions and diseases. This procedure, known since ancient times, is performed by making small incisions or punctures on the body, usually on the veins, to allow the controlled release of blood. The purpose behind bloodletting is based on the belief that imbalances or impurities in the body's "humors" or fluids - such as blood - are the root cause of illnesses.
Historically, bloodletting has been practiced in different cultures and time periods, including Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. This treatment was believed to restore balance within the body, alleviate symptoms, and promote healing. It was commonly used to treat a wide range of ailments including fevers, infections, inflammation, and even mental disorders.
However, with advancements in medical science, bloodletting gradually lost its favor as a mainstream practice in the 19th century. The rise of evidence-based medicine and the discovery of germs as the true source of infections led to a decline in bloodletting's popularity. It was later recognized that bloodletting often caused more harm than good, as excessive bleeding depleted the body's vital fluids and weakened patients, potentially leading to further complications or even death.
Today, bloodletting is considered an obsolete medical procedure, reserved only for extremely specific conditions such as hereditary hemochromatosis or polycythemia vera. Medicine has moved towards more effective and evidence-based treatments, relying on pharmaceuticals, surgeries, and other modern interventions to address diseases and disorders.
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Abstraction of blood from the body as a remedial measure.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Act of one who lets blood.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for BLOODLETTING
Etymology of BLOODLETTING
The word "bloodletting" comes from the combination of two words: "blood" and "letting".
The term "blood" can be traced back to the Old English word "blōd", which shares cognates with various Germanic languages. The Proto-Germanic word "*blotham" is believed to have derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*bhlo-to-", meaning "to swell, gush forth", which later developed into the concept of blood.
The second part, "letting", is derived from the Old English word "lǣtan", meaning "to allow, permit". This term has cognates in other Germanic languages as well. In this context, "letting" refers to the act of allowing or permitting blood to flow out of the body intentionally.
Similar spelling words for BLOODLETTING
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