In the 19th century, leech collectors, also known as leech gatherers or finders, played a crucial role in the medical field. They collected leeches from ponds using horses' legs or their own as bait. These leeches were then sold to pharmacists and physicians for bloodletting, a common medical practice believed to restore health by balancing bodily humors. Despite the risks and hardships, including significant blood loss, leech collecting was a widespread profession until advancements in medicine rendered it obsolete.
