Podcast
Questions and Answers
What did English people use to cure their warts in ancient times?
What did English people use to cure their warts in ancient times?
What was used as a weight-loss method in the early 20th century?
What was used as a weight-loss method in the early 20th century?
What was the Patron Saint of Hemorrhoids in medieval times?
What was the Patron Saint of Hemorrhoids in medieval times?
What was used as a curative for various injuries in Victorian times?
What was used as a curative for various injuries in Victorian times?
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What was used as a herbal anesthetic made from seven ingredients, some of which are harmless, but others are incredibly lethal?
What was used as a herbal anesthetic made from seven ingredients, some of which are harmless, but others are incredibly lethal?
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What was human urine used for in the Roman era and up to the 15th century?
What was human urine used for in the Roman era and up to the 15th century?
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What belief about urine's sterility is contradicted by scientific evidence?
What belief about urine's sterility is contradicted by scientific evidence?
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What negative connotations did snake oil gain over time?
What negative connotations did snake oil gain over time?
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What did Romans use urine for despite it being ineffective today?
What did Romans use urine for despite it being ineffective today?
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What property does snake oil contain despite its negative connotations?
What property does snake oil contain despite its negative connotations?
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Match the historical use of human urine or snake oil with their actual scientific properties:
Match the historical use of human urine or snake oil with their actual scientific properties:
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Match the historical use of human urine or snake oil with their modern understanding:
Match the historical use of human urine or snake oil with their modern understanding:
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Match the historical beliefs about human urine with their modern scientific evidence:
Match the historical beliefs about human urine with their modern scientific evidence:
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Match the historical uses of human urine with their modern evaluations:
Match the historical uses of human urine with their modern evaluations:
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Match the historical uses of human urine or snake oil with their actual properties according to modern scientific understanding:
Match the historical uses of human urine or snake oil with their actual properties according to modern scientific understanding:
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Match the historical medical treatment with its associated negative consequences:
Match the historical medical treatment with its associated negative consequences:
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Match the ancient medical practice with its intended use:
Match the ancient medical practice with its intended use:
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Match the historical medical belief/practice with its associated consequence:
Match the historical medical belief/practice with its associated consequence:
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Match the historical medical belief/practice with its associated consequence:
Match the historical medical belief/practice with its associated consequence:
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Match the historical medical treatment with its associated consequence:
Match the historical medical treatment with its associated consequence:
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Study Notes
- Ancient Egyptians used dead mice to ease tooth pain by blending their remains with other compounds
- English people cured their warts by cutting a mouse in half and applying it to the growths
- Expired mice were used to treat various diseases such as whooping cough, smallpox, measles, and bedwetting
- In the 1500s, syphilis patients were intentionally infected with malaria to cure their disease, but this treatment resulted in intense fever attacks and long-term side effects
- Saint Fiacre was the Patron Saint of Hemorrhoids and those who did not pray to him were believed to suffer from hemorrhoids, and those who did were cured by the monks using a red hot iron or sitting on Saint Fiacre's famous rock
- In the 19th century, paraffin wax injections were used to smooth out wrinkles and to augment breasts, but they often resulted in painful lumps called paraffinomas
- Mercury was used as a medical treatment from ancient times to fairly recently due to its mysterious and cool appearance, but it is extremely toxic and caused more harm than good
- Radium was used in various questionable medicines due to its ability to glow in the dark, but it is highly radioactive and can lead to a painful demise
- Lobotomy was a popular treatment for mental illness in the 1930s, but it was dangerous and left patients with permanent disabilities, and approximately 50,000 people were lobotomized in the US without their consent
- Tapeworms were used as a weight-loss method in the early 20th century, but most tapeworm species have horrific effects on the human body and can cause malnutrition, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and anemia
- Before the dangers of smoking were well known, cigarettes were advertised as having health benefits and even as a therapy for asthma
- Animal waste was used as a curative for various injuries in Victorian times and the Ancient Egyptians used poo from various animals for medicinal purposes
- In medieval times, doctors relied on astrological superstitions as much as medical knowledge and used star charts to aid in diagnoses and treatments
- Enemas have been a popular treatment for intestinal issues since the Middle Ages and were performed using a device called a clyster, and various fluids were used, including one made from boar's bile
- Modern anesthesia has only been common practice for the last 150 years and before that, doctors used a range of methods to induce sleep before an operation, one of which was dwale, an herbal anesthetic made from seven ingredients, some of which are harmless, but others are incredibly lethal.- Human urine was used for various medical purposes from the Roman era up to the 15th century.
- It was used as a curative treatment and antiseptic, even recommended for washing battle wounds and treating plague sores.
- Romans used it to whiten their teeth, however, this is not a common belief today.
- Urine is believed to be sterile, but scientific evidence proves otherwise.
- Snake oil, derived from the Chinese water snake, was used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve joint pain from arthritis and bursitis.
- It gained negative connotations and became a slang term for "con men," but it does contain anti-inflammatory properties due to its EPA and omega-3 fatty acid content.
- Romans used urine to whiten their teeth, but it is not effective or scientifically proven today.
- Urine is not sterile as commonly believed and is not a reliable antiseptic.
- Snake oil, despite its negative connotations, contains anti-inflammatory properties and was used in traditional Chinese medicine for joint pain relief.
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Description
Explore the bizarre and often dangerous historical medical treatments practiced throughout different time periods and cultures. From using dead mice and animal waste to radioactive substances and questionable surgical procedures, learn about the strange remedies and practices of the past.
