If you're a skilled medical professional, we
don't have to explain to you the definition of the word phlebotomy. You
might, however, be puzzled about the origins of the word. The old Greek words phleb
for 'vein' and tomia for 'cutting' seem misleading now. After all, what
does cutting have to do with the drawing of blood for diagnostic purposes?
Actually, cutting had plenty to do with very early phlebotomy techniques. Evidence shows that so-called “bloodletting” was practiced in ancient Egypt. Whether it began there or not, who knows, but the gory method that was thought to rid the body of practically any ailment was practiced in many cultures up to and including a nascent United States of America. All manner of small knives, lances, and glass suction cups were employed to remove “excess” blood from the unfortunate patient's body.
In December 1799, George Washington was one of those unlucky patients. George was suffering from a bothersome throat infection, the cure for which was -wait for it- bloodletting. After being relieved of more than nine pints of blood in fewer than 24 hours, the first US president up and died. After that, public opinion regarding the efficacy of bloodletting as a cure-all began to wane.
It's a very good thing that 21st century phlebotomy techniques have exponentially advanced since the “good old days.” The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians is the second-oldest certifying agency of the field of Phlebotomy, and one of the only agencies that offers continuing phlebotomy education and advanced phlebotomy training.
Actually, cutting had plenty to do with very early phlebotomy techniques. Evidence shows that so-called “bloodletting” was practiced in ancient Egypt. Whether it began there or not, who knows, but the gory method that was thought to rid the body of practically any ailment was practiced in many cultures up to and including a nascent United States of America. All manner of small knives, lances, and glass suction cups were employed to remove “excess” blood from the unfortunate patient's body.
In December 1799, George Washington was one of those unlucky patients. George was suffering from a bothersome throat infection, the cure for which was -wait for it- bloodletting. After being relieved of more than nine pints of blood in fewer than 24 hours, the first US president up and died. After that, public opinion regarding the efficacy of bloodletting as a cure-all began to wane.
It's a very good thing that 21st century phlebotomy techniques have exponentially advanced since the “good old days.” The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians is the second-oldest certifying agency of the field of Phlebotomy, and one of the only agencies that offers continuing phlebotomy education and advanced phlebotomy training.
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