Cow Leech

In times past, a man described as a doctor would be quite different from what we now think of as a doctor, as the practice of medicine and the required skills and training have progressed immensely in recent times. Similarly, way back when our ancestors were around, there weren't really veterinarians as we know them today. But there were certainly cows, and things did go wrong with them. That would be when you called upon the cow leech (or cow leach) - those that practised the "cow lore", using herbal medicines and practices that no doubt hurt as often as they healed. Apparently cow leeches were not particularly highly regarded, the "quacks" of cow medicine you might say.

My Jeremiah POLLARD who came to Wing c.1725 was noted as a cow leach in his marriage entry in Aylesbury, hence the interest. I'm also connected to the IMPEYs of Bierton, one of whom is one of the three cow leeches listed in the Posse Comitatus of 1798.

Anyone know anything more about what a cow leech did?