10 Strange Medical Treatments Used in History

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10 Strange Medical Treatments Used in History

Medicine has come a long way, but the road to modern science was paved with some bizarre and sometimes dangerous practices. Throughout history, humans have tried every possible way to cure illness—often with strange, mystical, or downright scary treatments. From leech therapy to drinking mercury, here are 10 strange medical treatments used in history that will make you grateful for today’s healthcare.

1. Bloodletting with Leeches

Bloodletting was one of the oldest and most widespread medical practices. Based on the belief that illnesses were caused by an imbalance in bodily fluids or "humors," physicians would drain a patient's blood to restore balance. Leeches were often used for this purpose, especially in medieval Europe and the Middle East. These creatures would suck blood from the patient, sometimes for hours. Though it seems primitive, leech therapy is still used today in very specific modern surgeries to improve blood circulation.

2. Trepanation: Drilling Holes in the Skull

One of the oldest surgical practices known to humanity, trepanation involved drilling or scraping holes into the skull to treat various ailments like seizures, migraines, or mental disorders. Ancient cultures believed that creating an opening in the skull would release evil spirits or relieve pressure. Trepanned skulls dating back to 7,000 years have been found all over the world. Amazingly, some patients survived these procedures, as evidenced by healed bone around the hole.

3. Mercury as Medicine

Mercury, now known to be highly toxic, was once considered a powerful cure. In ancient China and medieval Europe, mercury was used to treat everything from syphilis to skin conditions. Paracelsus, a 16th-century Swiss physician, promoted mercury-based treatments. However, this toxic metal caused severe health issues including kidney failure, neurological damage, and even death. Ironically, the treatment often became deadlier than the disease itself.

4. Mummy Powder (Mummia)

During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, crushed mummy powder was used as a medical cure for all sorts of ailments, including epilepsy, bruising, and internal bleeding. Apothecaries would grind up actual ancient Egyptian mummies—flesh and all—and sell it as a powder believed to carry healing powers. The practice was based on the theory that ancient bodies, preserved with special resins and herbs, contained magical medicinal properties. It was popular among European nobility for centuries.

5. Tobacco Smoke Enemas

In the 18th century, doctors in England used tobacco smoke enemas as a treatment for various conditions, including resuscitating drowning victims, abdominal cramps, and colds. A tube would be inserted into the rectum, and tobacco smoke was blown in using a bellows. This was thought to stimulate respiration or revive unconscious patients. Eventually, it was abandoned once people realized it was more harmful than helpful, especially as the dangers of tobacco became well known.

6. Animal Dung Remedies

In ancient Egypt and Greece, animal dung—such as crocodile, goose, or cow feces—was used in a range of medicinal treatments. Mixed with honey or oils, it was applied as a poultice to wounds or used in fertility treatments. The belief was that animal waste had mystical properties or would help ward off evil. Of course, in reality, this practice increased the risk of infection and did more harm than good.

7. Arsenic Pills

Like mercury, arsenic was used historically as both a poison and a medicine. In the 19th century, arsenic pills were marketed as beauty enhancers and treatments for everything from asthma to syphilis. The small doses were supposed to clear the skin and restore energy. However, long-term use led to toxic accumulation, causing symptoms such as vomiting, organ damage, and eventually death. Despite the obvious dangers, arsenic-based tonics remained popular well into the early 20th century.

8. The Use of Dead Mice in Remedies

Ancient Egyptians used dead mice as ingredients in various treatments. For toothaches, they would mash up a mouse and apply the paste to the gums. In some cases, live mice were even cut and applied to wounds to treat infections. The belief stemmed from the idea that animals could transfer healing energy or power to humans. Needless to say, modern medicine has left these practices far behind.

9. Cannibalistic Cures

As shocking as it sounds, some historical treatments involved consuming parts of the human body. Known as “corpse medicine,” this included drinking blood, eating human fat, or ingesting ground-up bones. People believed that the life force of the deceased would transfer to the living. In 17th-century Europe, royalty and nobles drank "fresh blood" at public executions, believing it could cure ailments like epilepsy or rejuvenate the body. Cannibalistic medicine was practiced well into the early modern period.

10. Radium Therapy

In the early 20th century, radium—a newly discovered radioactive element—was hailed as a miracle cure. It was added to tonics, toothpaste, face creams, and even drinking water. Products like "Radithor" promised to cure everything from arthritis to fatigue. Unfortunately, radium exposure led to horrific health problems, including bone decay, radiation poisoning, and cancer. The tragic case of the "Radium Girls"—factory workers who were poisoned from painting glow-in-the-dark watch dials—helped end the craze.

Bonus Facts and Related Practices

• Snake Oil Salesmen: In 19th-century America, "snake oil" became a term for fake medicine sold by traveling salesmen. Though originally based on traditional Chinese remedies, many snake oil products had no real medicinal value, and the term now refers to fraudulent health products.
• Electrotherapy and Shock Treatment: In the early 1900s, electric shock was believed to stimulate muscles and nerves. While some uses were legitimate, others were bizarre, such as devices to improve "manliness" or cure hysteria in women.
• Burning Cauterization: Used to stop bleeding and prevent infection, cauterizing wounds with hot iron or boiling oil was painful and dangerous but often necessary in the absence of antiseptics.
• Herbal Poisons as Medicine: Plants like belladonna (deadly nightshade) and foxglove were used in small doses to treat conditions like heart disease or muscle spasms—risky but effective when dosed properly.

Why These Treatments Existed

Many of these bizarre treatments came from a lack of scientific understanding. Without knowledge of germs, chemistry, or anatomy, early physicians relied on superstition, tradition, and experimentation. Diseases that we now treat easily with antibiotics or surgery were once mysterious and terrifying. In such a desperate environment, people were willing to try almost anything to get better—even if it involved drinking mercury or drilling into their skulls.

The Evolution of Ethics in Medicine

These strange historical treatments also highlight how far medical ethics have evolved. In the past, consent, testing, and patient safety were often ignored. Today, treatments undergo rigorous testing through clinical trials and ethical review boards before reaching the public. The horrors of past experiments and dangerous treatments pushed modern medicine to create stricter standards to protect patients from harm.

Legacy of Ancient Practices

While most of these treatments are no longer used, their stories continue to teach us important lessons. They remind us of the importance of research, ethics, and skepticism in medicine. Interestingly, some ancient ideas—like the use of leeches or herbal remedies—have made a cautious return under strict regulation. The history of medicine is a mix of horror and innovation, showing how far we’ve come and how much further we still need to go.

Final Thoughts

The human quest for healing has led down some very strange paths. From mummies to mouse paste, history is filled with shocking medical practices that seem absurd today. Yet they represent early steps in the journey toward modern medicine. By understanding these strange treatments, we can better appreciate the science, safety, and ethics behind the healthcare systems we rely on today. If there's one thing these historical methods remind us of, it's how important it is to question, learn, and never stop improving medical science.

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