The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-18

mud and exported in tubs, each containing
about 1000 leeches.
The trade in leeches in this country Is
not as great as forty years ago. when
medical men had a pleasant habit of bleed
ing every patient who fell into their hands,
but II has not by any means died out. The
little blood suckers are of value even to-
day in certain types of diseases, and con-
siderable quantities. are used in one way
or another. The trade has been supplied
with these little creatures by importing
them from Europe, and from a few col
lectors In this country, who have gather
ed them from the muddy ponds and lakes.
The first distinctive leech farm, however.
is the one now in operation on Toms
river.
Farmer Partit found that the common
leech was not altogether fitted for medi-
cinal purposes. and that purchasers re-
CURED either one of two well-marked spe-
cies-the German leech, possessing a
body of dark-green, spotted below with
black, or the Hungarian leech, of olive
green color, without spots. A few speci-
mems Of both of these leeches were OBJ
tanned and when they were turned loose
In the swampy pond they multiplied rapid
ly. The water snakes were the worst
enemies to the imported leeches, and an
unceasing war had to be waged against
the reptiles. The Hungarian leech is a
divided into eighty to one hundred rings
or segments. The cocoons containing the
eggs are laid in summer and In winter,
and in four to six weeks the young are
developed. The young are ready for mar
ket In about a year, but IL takes them
three years to reproduce their kind. The
average lifetime of these leeches is from
fifteen to twenty years, and a few old
breeders will keep the pond well stocked
with young ones for many years in sue
cession
The eeches find substance in the mud
dy ponds, but the taste Of blood makes
them leave every other food. AS soon
as the bare leg is thrust down into tho
water disturbing nest of the uncanny
creatures IL Is covered with them, and In
a few moments the sucking of the little
jaws will make one draw 1t up quickly.
Leech fishing IS not a pleasant occupa-
tion, for the very thoughts of the blood
suckers are enough to make a sensitive
person sick with dread, Blood for blood
is the motto OF the annelids, and they will
not be caught and yield up their life un-
less the human bait is thrust down for
them. An expert fisherman can catch
many of them in a short time, and not
waste much blood, for he pulls them OFF
before they have had time to take much
of the lfe-givlng fluid. Usually healthy
man can fish In the swamp four or i've
hours without getting exhausted for the
loss OF blood and In that time he will
catch about 200 leeches.
The leech likes a semi-aquatic life, with
plenty of air and foul water. They are
caught In the spring and summer, when
they are eager for human blood At this
season Of the year the sight or smell OF
a plump leg in the water acts like mag
net to them, and they make a rush for IL
and cling to Il tenaciousy. The Hunga-
rian leech Is provided with three jaws OF
teeth, with seventy to ninety tooth-like
serrations on the surface. Each tooth IS
moved by a separate muscle. and together
they act like a hne-toothed saw i'm divid
ing the skin. They begin operations i'm
medately and In a very short time they
will swallow FIVE times their own weight
I'm the blood Of victim and cause as much
more to be wasted. tnGf1
The leeches swarm in great numbers
through the muddy waters of the swamp.
and one only has to turn over some old
log or messy stone 20 start up a big nest
Of them The water IS so muddy, how
ever. that the black and green creatures
cannot be seen, and It is necessary 10
plunge the bare arm or leg In II TO catch
a few. If the arm Is held there for few
moments numerous little pricking sensa-
lions start out in variuos places, and then
when II Is Withdrawn the white surface Is
Detptckled with IuIlVuS litllt buChiHh
creatures. The sight is enough to make
one disguised with the whole business,
but the farmer who raises the leeches has
overcome any objections he may have had
10 their responsiveness.
The leeches are gathered by the owner
and his children. who take turns In wad-
ing through the water. Early In the sea-
son, when their numbers are the greatest
and the leeches can be caught I'm a way
with a finely woven net, they ire poked
up from tho mud with stick, and then
the waters are swept with the net attach
ed TO a long pole. In this way a dozen or
more are sure 10 be caught at one sweep.
But later in the summer they must be
caught with human bait. and II is queer
sight TO see the fishermen wading through
the swamp after them.
mo. don't think they hurt us" Farm
er Partit said. when questioned about the
effect Of losing so much blood. They are
Just as good as a dose OF strong physic.
Why, me and the boys get 80 fat and
healthy doing nothing all winter that we
need something like this to keep us In or
der. II we fished too long at time they
might do some harm, but we know when
to. stop. After the season Is over we feel
fresher and better than II We hadn't been
leeching They are just like mosquitoes;
they suck out all the bad blood and leave
the good, and that's why. I suppose, we
feel so good after a months work IN the
swamp / think we'd all have malaria
down In this wet place II II wasn't for the
leeches. No man could wade through such