The history of phlebotomy began with ancient cultures that believed it was an effective way to treat virtually any illness. Egyptians, Greeks and the Romans used bloodletting to rid the human body of evil, while the Mesopotamians and Mayans used it for ritualistic purposes. It was the Greeks, however, in the fifth century that helped bloodletting become known as areal medical procedure, allowing it to spread through other civilized areas. Interestingly, it's believed that bloodletting is the inspiration for the red and white barber pole, as the procedure became as commonplace as a haircut.
