大象传媒

Bill Oddie splashes around in the shallows attempting to simulate a cow. He clomps around in a bovine manner in the hope of stirring up some leeches and getting them to stick to his waders. He doesn't have much luck, but fortunately has been supplied with one someone else found earlier. It is a medicinal leech. These have been used by doctors and surgeons from time immemorial and even today - leeches produce anti-coagulants that stop blood clotting. The leech has suckers at each end, head and tail. On the head there are also little teeth. Medicinal leeches are quite rare. They can be found in Kent and here in the Lake District. Bill puts the leech back in the lake when it appears to be looking for a vein...