Chapter 25, Problem 35A

Summary Introduction

To determine:

An experiment that would help test if leech treatment is effective for arthritis or not.

Introduction:

Arthritis is defined as a disease of joints caused by the wearing and tearing of the cartilages around the joint causing stiffness and pain.

Explanation of Solution

Leech may help in curing arthritis as they may derive blood to the cartilage. This blood would provide nutrients required for the healing of cartilage. In order to test this, leech’s saliva should be injected in a joint or a person, and in other joints, no treatment should be given. If there is an improvement in the joint treated with leech saliva, then this treatment will be helpful.