Buzz
Luckily, we now exist in a time with modern medicine. In most cases, we can depend on our healthcare professionals to maintain our well-being. However, this hasn't always been the case. Before the advent of antibiotics, antiretroviral drugs, and the extensive medical and anatomical knowledge we have today, countless deadly diseases and viruses decimated entire populations.
Throughout history, there was much trial and error in medicine, and unfortunately, many people endured suffering as a result. These treatments often led to disastrous outcomes, far outweighing any possible benefits. Below are 10 of the most disturbing medical practices ever recorded.
10. Bloodletting
Bloodletting is an ancient, grisly medical practice that has persisted for centuries. A doctor would 'release the blood' (drain) from a living patient in an attempt to cure a condition or disease, often based on misguided and outdated medical theories.
Occasionally, bloodletting seemed to offer some relief to patients suffering from various ailments, such as those with metabolic problems or obesity. However, more often than not, it caused more harm than good.
The procedure is relatively simple, though it’s sure to make anyone who’s squeamish at the sight of blood uncomfortable. A lancet, knife, razor, or any sharp object was used to make an incision in a vein, usually in the patient’s arm.
A container, like a bucket, would be placed beneath the patient to catch the draining blood. The idea was to remove harmful pathogens, viruses, or even evil spirits. In reality, the outcome was often just the loss of blood, further weakening the patient and their already fragile immune system.
One can almost picture a medieval scene, where a suffering individual moans in pain, their arm extended as a doctor uses a knife to cut into them, collecting the blood in a bucket beneath them.
9. Cosmetic Surgery
In the modern West, cosmetic surgery is as simple as taking a day off and making a small investment. It has become so prevalent that we often see it as a rite of passage, even for teens and preteens. A little anesthesia and some painkillers, and you can achieve the appearance you’ve always dreamed of.
But this kind of surgery wasn’t always a walk in the park. Even in ancient history, there are records of rhinoplasty (commonly known as 'nose jobs') and other cosmetic surgeries to ensure people looked their best.
The ancient Indians were particularly skilled in various forms of cosmetic surgery, even performing breast reduction procedures. These surgeries were done using the sharpest stones, knives, or other tools capable of removing flesh from a living patient—without the luxury of modern pain relief, of course.
The Sushruta Samhita, an ancient Indian manuscript dating back to around 600 BC, outlines such practices and describes their early methods of cosmetic surgery. Imagine undergoing dental surgery in ancient times to improve a less-than-ideal smile. Evidence shows that plastic surgery and dental fixes date back as far as 7000 BC, long before local anesthetics were even invented.
8. Craniotomy
Craniotomy is one of the oldest known medical procedures, and it would have made modern lobotomists feel uneasy. Despite the fancy name, 'trephination' simply means 'drill a hole in the person’s skull and take a look inside.'
This procedure dates back to the Neolithic era, with evidence of its practice going as far back as 7000 BC. The ancient Greeks even created specialized drills for this process, one of which was the terebra, a sharp point attached to a stick-like tool that was wrapped with rope or thong for stability.
You wind the tool, place its sharp tip on the patient's skull, rest your finger on the rounded end opposite the head, and let it spin.
Though this procedure seems horrifying by today's standards, battlefield injuries in ancient Greece were far more brutal. So, removing fractured bone or draining excess blood could actually have been life-saving for the patient.
Later, this practice was used to 'expel demons' from the heads of individuals believed to be possessed, creating an escape route for the supposed spirits. But perhaps the strangest part of all is the abundant evidence that trephination was commonly performed even on healthy individuals, not just those with head injuries.
7. Silphium Contraception
When the ancient Greeks weren't drilling holes in people's heads and conquering the Mediterranean, they were tackling other medical challenges, one of the most common being the search for or creation of contraceptives to prevent pregnancy.
The ancient Greeks used a plant called silphium, which was considered a cure-all during that era. Silphium resembled a sunflower and produced the distinct yellow flowers that are still recognized today.
For contraception, silphium was inserted into the vagina using a peculiar applicator. The ancient practice involved soaking a piece of wool in the plant’s juice, inserting it inside, and hoping it would work.
6. Female Genital Cutting
Sadly, this practice continues today despite the United Nations advocating for zero tolerance of modern female genital mutilation. Female circumcision has been practiced for thousands of years, with Herodotus even mentioning it in ancient Egypt around 500 BC.
Throughout history, this horrific practice has been carried out in various forms for multiple reasons. Methods have ranged from shaving or cutting the tip of the clitoris, to completely removing both the clitoris and labia. One of the most extreme forms is what is known as 'pharaonic circumcision,' in which the clitoris and labia are entirely excised, and the remaining flesh on either side is pulled over the vagina and sewn together, leaving only a small opening for urination and menstrual blood to exit.
The reasons for these operations vary from religious beliefs to rites of passage. In many cases, women and girls are forced to undergo these procedures as a way to preserve chastity, prove virginity, or supposedly enhance sexual pleasure for men. In some cultures, this practice is also believed to increase a woman's appeal in the marriage market.
5. Reversed Circumcision
Yes, you read that correctly. Reverse circumcision has been performed for thousands of years, and it sounds absolutely terrifying.
In ancient Rome, cosmetic procedures were quite common, including the removal of various skin imperfections and anything that did not align with their image-conscious society. Much of what we know today comes from Aulus Cornelius Celsus, who wrote extensively, though only his medical works have survived.
In both Greek and Roman societies, circumcision was rare and could harm one's social standing. However, Celsus wrote, 'If the glans is exposed and the man desires it to be covered, this can be achieved.'
Let’s not forget that this was long before the advent of modern painkillers. Celsus detailed the procedure in his work De medicina:
The prepuce surrounding the glans is grasped, stretched over the glans until it covers it, and then tied. Next, the skin in front of the pubes is cut in a circular motion until the penis is exposed, ensuring not to damage the urethra or nearby blood vessels. Once done, the prepuce is pulled forward toward the tie, and a small ring is left exposed at the pubic region, which serves as a boundary for flesh growth.
If that doesn’t sound frightening enough, Celsus continues, 'For someone already circumcised, the prepuce is lifted from the underlying penis by the circumference of the glans using a scalpel. This is not terribly painful.'
4. Mercury
The long fight to overcome the deadly disease syphilis has spanned thousands of years, claiming countless lives. In this tragic battle between humanity and bacteria, many different treatments were used in an attempt to defeat this relentless illness. Even Al Capone, once a powerful mobster, fell victim to syphilis, and despite being one of the first civilians to receive penicillin, it was too late for him to benefit from the medicine.
Syphilis presents itself with reddish-brown sores that spread across the body in the form of a rash, along with sores in the mouth, anus, or vagina. Additional symptoms include swollen glands, headaches, neurological issues, infections in the membranes surrounding the brain, deafness, dementia, strokes, and much more.
Mercury is a fascinating but highly dangerous element, being the only metal that remains liquid at room temperature. When humans come into contact with it, mercury attacks the central nervous system as a potent neurotoxin.
The harsh impact of mercury poisoning is almost instantaneous, with symptoms ranging from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea to confusion, 'tunnel vision,' difficulty breathing, numbness in the limbs, loss of speech and hearing, distorted communication, skin rashes, anxiety, ulcers, tooth loss, insanity, paralysis, and ultimately death. Its destructive effects on the body are immediate and severe.
So, how does syphilis relate to mercury?
Until the 1920s, the cruel treatment for syphilis involved drenching the patient in mercury in an attempt to cure the disease, fully aware of the excruciating pain and often fatal consequences. This was done with lotions or various mixtures that contained the toxic metal.
Those subjected to this 'treatment' often claimed that the so-called cure was worse than the disease itself. Archaeological findings indicate that during the periods when syphilis was treated with mercury, skeletons from Europe displayed much more damage than those of individuals who had died from either syphilis or mercury poisoning separately.
3. Tobacco Smoke Enemas
In the 17th and 18th centuries, tobacco smoke enemas were an oddly popular medical treatment used to cure a variety of conditions. Special kits and tools were even created to help doctors safely and (supposedly) gently blow tobacco smoke into a patient's anus.
Initially, tobacco smoke enemas were used to revive drowning victims but were later adapted to treat illnesses like typhoid fever, stomach issues, and much more. The tobacco enema was the first line of defense when attempting to resuscitate the dead or dying. If that didn't work, doctors would move on to artificial respiration (now known as CPR).
In the beginning, there weren't special devices for administering tobacco smoke enemas. Physicians typically used a pipe or any available instrument to carry out the procedure. The method could be summed up as 'take a puff, insert pipe, and blow.' It really makes you wonder who thought of this practice—and why.
2. Cannibalism
Bill Schutt, a zoologist from Long Island University, argues that cannibalism is a natural phenomenon. He believes that when the need for food outweighs the aversion to consuming another human (and the risk of disease), such behavior becomes predictable and understandable.
Throughout history, different cultures have practiced cannibalism—some for religious reasons, others during food shortages. However, cannibalism has also been viewed as a medicinal practice in many periods of time.
Even after the Renaissance, cannibalism was still regarded as a form of medicine in so-called civilized Europe. According to the Smithsonian, King Charles II of England was known to 'sip the king’s drops,' a concoction made from powdered human skull and alcohol.
During the Renaissance, self-proclaimed specialists would grind up Egyptian mummies (often stolen) and sell the powder as a cure for various ailments. German physicist Johann Schroeder once suggested this 'medical-grade substitute' for ground mummy in a prescribed meal:
Take the fresh, unblemished body of a red-headed man (since their blood is thinner and their flesh is considered superior) around 24 years of age, who has been executed through violent means. Let the body rest for a full day and night under both sun and moon—provided the weather is clear. Then, cut the flesh into pieces, dust them with myrrh and a touch of aloe. Soak the pieces in spirits of wine for several days, hang them for 6 to 10 hours, soak again in spirits, and finally, let them dry in a shaded area. This process will turn them into something resembling smoked meat, keeping them odor-free.
1. Drinking The Blood Of Dead Gladiators
Rome was the epitome of civilization in the ancient world. At its peak, the empire stretched across the entire Mediterranean and beyond, boasting the most advanced technologies and an army that struck fear into all who opposed it.
Given such an advanced civilization, one might expect Rome to be the leader in ancient medical practices, right? Naturally. But this is the same Rome that birthed emperors like Caligula and Nero, gladiatorial combat, and a host of other peculiarities. So it's no surprise that they also pioneered some rather unusual treatments for ailments.
Epilepsy, a debilitating condition that has plagued humanity for centuries, was once treated in ways that seem unimaginable today. In ancient Rome, one such remedy involved drinking the blood of a slain gladiator. As Pliny the Elder describes, 'The blood, too, of gladiators is drunk by epileptics as though it were a draught of life, though we shudder with horror when in the same arena we look at even the beasts doing the same thing.'
When Rome eventually outlawed gladiatorial combat, this curious form of epilepsy treatment continued, but now with the blood of executed criminals, particularly those who had been decapitated.
