What year were leeches discovered?

Leeches have been used in medicine for thousands of years, with references dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians around 1500 BCE. However, the formal discovery and use of leeches in medical practices is difficult to pinpoint to a specific year, as they have been utilized in various cultures over time. The practice gained prominence in Europe during the 19th century, particularly with the rise of bloodletting.