Buzz
Take comfort in knowing these devices are no longer part of your doctor's equipment.
1. The Scarificator, 1874
Source
The next time your child complains about a booster shot, show them this. The Mallam Scarificator was once used to vaccinate against smallpox. The process involved dipping its four blades into the pustules of an infected person and then using a lever to puncture a child’s arm. If the child stayed brave, they could pick between Otto Von Bismarck or Susan B. Anthony-themed Band-Aids.
2. The Miraculous Chair of Palermo, an early 18th-century parturition chair.
Science Museum
This isn’t a potty chair—it’s a birthing chair. The hole allowed midwives to assist in delivering the baby. Later versions included handles for gripping and leg rests. The Miraculous Chair of Palermo lacked such features but offered a religious icon for mothers to lean on while praying for relief.
3. Mercury syringe and field dressings, 1545
The History Blog
As the old saying goes, 'One night with Venus leads to a lifetime with Mercury.' Discovered on the sunken Tudor ship Mary Rose, this mercury syringe was used to treat sailors suffering from syphilis. Can you guess where the needle, filled with poisonous mercury, was inserted? That’s right—straight into the coxswain.
4. Bloodletting Fleam, 1850
Unnaturalist
A fleam worked by pressing its triangular blade into a vein to drain excess blood, supposedly restoring balance to the body’s 'humors.' By the time this fleam was created, bloodletting was losing popularity as a universal cure—likely because it often proved fatal to those who underwent the procedure.
5. The Prepurex Pregnancy Test Kit, 1980
Science Museum
Here’s a glimpse into more recent history: This early home pregnancy test paved the way for today’s straightforward pee sticks. It detected pregnancy by measuring the HCG hormone in urine. While it seemed simple, using it required antiserum, latex, sampling tubes, a mixing plate, two minutes of careful rocking, and what felt like a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
6. Trepanation Kit, 1771
Wellcome Collection
In ancient times, trepanation—drilling a hole in the skull—was believed to release demons causing epilepsy or strange behavior. This practice was used to treat ailments ranging from migraines to mood disorders. While modern neurosurgeons perform a similar procedure, they refer to it as a craniotomy.
7. The Utica Crib, 1840s
The Original Institute
The Utica Crib, used at the New York State Lunatic Asylum, was designed to immobilize unruly patients. Often lined with straw for easy cleanup, it was eventually phased out in the early 1900s in favor of restraints, padded rooms, straitjackets, and lobotomies. Suddenly, that Zoloft co-pay doesn’t seem so bad, does it?
8. German Spermatorrhoea Ring 1894
Phisick
While angels might remain dry-eyed, you certainly won’t when using this device. Although 'spermatorrhoea' refers to the unintentional release of semen, this contraption didn’t discriminate. The male anatomy was inserted into the inner ring, where the teeth were adjusted to barely graze the soft, harmless flesh. But any sign of swelling or expansion would trigger the teeth to clamp down.
9. Dental Screw Forceps from the Civil War Era, 1860s
Phisick
As described on Physick: “A central telescopic screw extends and locks the blades in place, enabling the root to be gently tapped. All this, unfortunately, before the era of anesthesia.” Keep this in mind the next time you whine about a numb mouth post-filling, you delicate soul.
10. Bone Chain Saw from the Civil War Era, 1860s
Phisick
This compact and efficient saw offered a glimmer of hope by preventing full limb amputations on the battlefield. Surgeons could loop the saw around the bone, excising only the injured sections rather than the entire limb. However, the risk of fatal infection remained high, and survivors often faced lifelong pain, stunted growth, and weakness in the affected area. On the bright side, the ebony handles added a touch of sophistication.
