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These 30 Bizarre Photos Show How Medical Treatments Were Carried Out Throughout History
Imagine a new illness suddenly pops up. Doctors have never dealt with it. It spreads like wildfire. It disrupts daily life. Panic sets in, shops close, hospitals are packed to capacity. Bodies are piling up. It might sound familiar. But we’re not talking about Covid. The Black Death left at least 25 million people dead long before coronavirus struck.
It was at its worst between 1347-1352. And was blamed on anything from the wrath of God, to the work of the devil, to the planets and even "bad air". Health professionals only discovered in 1894 that it was actually the work of bacteria. Carried mainly by fleas on rats. The suspected causes were bizarre. The treatments even more so.
Bored Panda came across this thread from the Creepy.org "X" account. It details, in pictures, some of the most bizarre medical practices from back in the day. Keep scrolling for a creepy and sometimes cruel look at historical "science". And be thankful you live in an era where you can pop a pill for pain. Instead of undergoing some of the procedures featured here.
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#4
Multa Nocte 2 years ago
To think that people understood this 100 years ago and that we still have people who think this is a bad idea . . .
#5
Sara Larca 2 years ago
Most of those women probably just got stuck in there because they wanted to go to college or get jobs ... or didn't want to get married ..
#9
DEW 2 years ago
I wear my mask whenever I go out. I wear them at my doctors office or the store etc..I get looks but nobody says anything to me about it. I have enjoyed not having a cold, flu, or the one that makes you puke the Norwalk flu or something. I'm usually the only one but that's fine with me. I just would like know when it was okay to cough in peoples faces or food? If you did it before Covid you would get decked. But since Covid came out suddenly it became a thing to cough on people and food. I don't get it.
#15
#18
"Disembodied voice" 2 years ago
Not that strong but I have a "sun light", because SAD is awful.
#20
Jackie Lulu 2 years ago
Back in the 80's, Dr Brown had a similar device that could possibly enable him to read minds.
#23
David 2 years ago
"no longer necessary" because modern x-rays are remote triggered from an adjoining room. The lead shielding is built into the wall between you and the therapist so no need to wear the lead apron. Modern digital xrays only give about 1/10th the radiation dose as the older film negatives but they still trigger them remotely.
#27
Luis Hernandez Dauajare 2 years ago
He is one pull away of ending up in a wheelchair... or a coffin.
#28
Damned_Cat 2 years ago
My mother had a more modern version of this back in the 60's. Use it for too long and you get one heck of a friction burn.
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What do you think ?
michael reid 2 years ago (edited)
I thought these gave an often unobtainable view into our collective past that the future of society will be built on. Yes, from these pioneers fumbling in the dark, we have the light to find our own way. But we ourselves are still fumbling in the dark towards some as yet unknown scientific triumphs.
Data1001 2 years ago
No later than a century from now, they will look back at many of our "advanced" procedures and think of them as barbaric. Science advances, and each era does the best that they can. The one thing that's changed the most is ensuring patients rights to safety and personal consent.
Maudelin 2 years ago
Civilization is devolving, we'll be back here at some point.
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Rob D 2 years ago
This is what thousands of years of science being the purview of religion lead to. Now look at how far we've come the last 100. From medical research/progress, to life expectancies and IMRs, to basic women's rights. Why has our quality of life followed an exponential curve towards improvement that mirrors the exact same curve in throwing god the f*k out of our lives on his filthy f'ing ear. 2000 year case study IRL. 1900 years of Jesus fans running s**t. Last 100 of science and objective truth. I know which I'd take and it's not even close.
RightSoFar 2 years ago
Might i suggest you read up on Hildegaard Von Bingen to remedy some of yoru ignorance?
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michael reid 2 years ago (edited)
I thought these gave an often unobtainable view into our collective past that the future of society will be built on. Yes, from these pioneers fumbling in the dark, we have the light to find our own way. But we ourselves are still fumbling in the dark towards some as yet unknown scientific triumphs.
Data1001 2 years ago
No later than a century from now, they will look back at many of our "advanced" procedures and think of them as barbaric. Science advances, and each era does the best that they can. The one thing that's changed the most is ensuring patients rights to safety and personal consent.
Maudelin 2 years ago
Civilization is devolving, we'll be back here at some point.
Load More Replies... Rob D 2 years ago
This is what thousands of years of science being the purview of religion lead to. Now look at how far we've come the last 100. From medical research/progress, to life expectancies and IMRs, to basic women's rights. Why has our quality of life followed an exponential curve towards improvement that mirrors the exact same curve in throwing god the f*k out of our lives on his filthy f'ing ear. 2000 year case study IRL. 1900 years of Jesus fans running s**t. Last 100 of science and objective truth. I know which I'd take and it's not even close.
RightSoFar 2 years ago
Might i suggest you read up on Hildegaard Von Bingen to remedy some of yoru ignorance?
Load More Replies...
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