1. To treat as a physician; that is, to cure, to heal.
2. To bleed patients for medical treatment by the use of leeches.
3. A nursing intervention from the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) defined as application of medicinal leeches to help drain replanted or transplanted tissue engorged with venous blood.

Thousands of patients currently owe the successful reattachment of body parts to miraculous technological advances in plastic and reconstructive surgery; however, at least some of these operations might have failed if leeches had not been reintroduced into the operating room. The appendages reattached include fingers, hands, toes, legs, ears, noses and scalps.