Medicinal and other leeches (Annelida, Hirudinea) in the Maltese Islands

Abstract

The identity and possible provenance of the leeches used medicinally in the Maltese Islands since the sixteenth century and particularly during the nineteenth century is discussed. Two haematophagous species have been identified as possible medicinal imports. Five other non-medicinal species of leeches have been identified as either presently occurring in the Maltese Islands, or as having been possibly introduced in the past.