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Article created by: Ilona Baliūnaitė

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.

#1

Doctor in protective clothing and mask during 1912 Manchuria plague outbreak illustrating historical medical treatments.

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    #2

    Mental patients participating in dance therapy at New York State Asylum in 1922, showing bizarre medical treatments throughout history.

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    #3

    Chest X-ray being conducted in 1914 using early radiology equipment showing historical medical treatments.

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    #4

    Woman wearing a vintage flu mask connected to a medical device during early 20th century medical treatments history.

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    #5

    Man in wire suit tested for physiological effects of space travel by a researcher in a historical medical treatment setting.

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    #6

    Bergonic chair used for electric treatment of psychological effects during World War I medical treatments in history.

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    #7

    Early 20th century medical treatment with Roentgen X-ray machine protecting physician in Frankfurt, Germany circa 1929.

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    #8

    Rotating cobalt machine used in 1955 medical treatment targeting cancerous tumors on a patient’s body.

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    #9

    Young woman undergoing a bizarre medical treatment with electric water baths to improve blood circulation, circa 1938.

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    #10

    Neurologist conducts unusual medical treatment experimenting with electrical probes to trigger facial expressions in 1850s history.

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    #11

    Black and white photo showing a 1940s medical machine with flexible rods attached to a patient's head measuring brainwaves.

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    #12

    Patient in early 1920s receiving lateral cerebral diathermia treatment in a bizarre historical medical procedure.

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    #13

    Elderly man using a 1950s machine to stimulate blood circulation in legs showing bizarre medical treatments history.

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    #14

    A woman receiving a medical treatment inside an Electric Bath cage, an example of bizarre medical treatments in history.

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    #15

    Vintage black and white photo of a man in a personal pressure chamber, showcasing bizarre medical treatments in history.

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    #16

    Two men testing a vintage stretching device from 1931, demonstrating bizarre medical treatments throughout history.

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    #17

    Woman using a bizarre vintage hip massage machine from the United States, showcasing unusual medical treatments throughout history.

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    #18

    Patient undergoing electroretinogram with vintage medical apparatus measuring retina's electric potential in the 1930s.

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