What Are the Consequences of Bloodletting?
Studies show that bloodletting was one of the leading causes of death in the days when this practice was common. Excess blood loss can lead to death through hemorrhagic shock [2].
Studies also show that low blood volume [3] may also cause a number of dangerous symptoms such as low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and breathing difficulties. If you lose about 40% of your blood volume, there is no guarantee that transfusions can help keep you alive.
Aside from the issues directly linked to blood loss, bloodletting, especially using tools like animal teeth or sticks, can lead to severe or even fatal infections and the transmission of blood borne diseases. As time went on and better items were used, the practice of bloodletting was largely unregulated, as barbers took part in the practice.
Blood and tissue infections that are not treated were a common consequence before the development of antibiotics. Infections of tissues and blood can lead to sepsis, a severe infection response that kills about 270,000 Americans every year.