Bloodletting

[blʌd,letiŋ]

(noun.) formerly used as a treatment to reduce excess blood (one of the four humors of medieval medicine).

Inputed by Billy--From WordNet

(n.) The act or process of letting blood or bleeding, as by opening a vein or artery, or by cupping or leeches; -- esp. applied to venesection.

Typist: Vivienne