Wrong-site, wrong-procedure, wrong-patient surgical mishaps, although infrequent, do still occur in the 21st century.
The Aftermath of a Mistake: Wrong-Site Surgery
Posted by in Modern Author: Nastassia Foose
Hello there! I have always loved learning about people from the past and discovering stories that connect us to them. Please join me as I explore peculiar medical stories from long ago!
Posted by in Modern Killer Wallpaper: A Green to Die For
Posted by in Horror, Object Focus The Victorians did not shy away from bright colors and patterns in their homes, and they were certainly unaware that some of those home design choices could cost them their lives.
The Virginia Quickstep: Diarrhea and Dysentery in the Civil War
Records are imperfect, and most Confederate records destroyed, it is estimated that 44,500 Union soldiers died of either diarrhea or dysentery.
Losing Their Left Legs: The Walker Brothers of North Carolina
Posted by in Individuals, Series What is the likelihood that two brothers would be forced to undergo amputation of their left legs in the same spot just a few weeks apart from one another?
The wound That Took 50 Years to Kill Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Posted by in Individuals, Series Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, the infamous college professor turned war hero, helped advance catheterization methods after he was wounded at Petersburg in 1864.
Bloomer Suits and a Medal of Honor: Dr. Mary Edwards Walker
Posted by in Individuals, Series Mary Edwards Walker, a progressive woman from New York, managed to kick down barriers throughout her lifetime, and she did so wearing bloomer suits.
Dead Except to Pain: Phantom Limb Phenomenon
Posted by in Horror, Individuals An estimated 60,000+ amputations occurred over the course of the Civil War, leaving men maimed and forever physically altered. Due to the high levels of amputations that took place in field hospitals across the country, it was during this time that medical professionals began really documenting instances of phantom limb.
Remembering Jonathan Letterman
Posted by in Individuals Dr. Letterman’s story, despite his importance to the field of military medicine, has been largely, forgotten. I hope that this post changes that.
Serving Wounded Blue and Grey: Pavilion Hospitals in the Civil War
Posted by in Series No one was prepared for the kind of chaos that the war would bring. Medical professionals everywhere were quickly overwhelmed.
The Devil with a Cyanide Syringe
Posted by in Horror, Individuals Petiot was arrested in 1944 and admitted to killing at least 60 people.
A Spoonful of Starvation: Linda Burfield Hazzard
Posted by in Horror, Individuals Like most people, I would have a terribly hard time giving up tasty foods and replacing them with a soup-based fasting routine. I was always taught that healthy foods fuel the body and keep everything running properly. In today’s post I will be putting the spotlight on Mrs. Linda Burfield Hazzard, a woman who gained…Read more »
Doctor H.H. Holmes: The Owner of Hell’s Hotel
Posted by in Horror, Individuals “I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer no more than a poet can help the inspiration to sing.”
Cancer Quackery at the Crescent Hotel
Posted by in Horror, Individuals, Quackery Come with us as we explore the curious history of the notorious Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Doctor Got Your Tongue?: Quack Stutter Cure
Posted by in Quackery You may be surprised to discover that the 18th and 19th centuries had a rather barbaric approach to treating a stutter.
A mouse with an Ear Growing on His Back?!
Posted by in Modern Rodents have assisted with everything from drug research to diseases and scientists, with the help of these four-legged creatures, have expanded the potential of medicine far beyond what we once thought was possible. Take for example, earmouse.
Evaluating Head Shapes: The Rise and Fall of Phrenology
Posted by in Mental Health, Quackery Despite the fact that Phrenology became rather controversial, it is important to note the cultural impact it did have in the years of its popularity throughout both Europe and America.
Medical Mishaps: Retained Surgical Items
Even with modern counting methods and technologies used to keep track of tools, retained surgical items (RSI) are a unique surgical complication that still occurs, although rarely, to this day.
Balanced Healing: Native American Medicine
Posted by in Modern Native American medicine represents a harmonious mixture of physical remedies and spirituality which, when used in conjunction, were thought to develop a well-balanced method of healing. Although customs varied across nations, Native American medicine took much of it’s influence from the natural world and has had a lasting impact on the field of modern medicine.
The Ugly Impact of Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax was commonly used in breast augmentations, as a wrinkle filler, and for nose jobs. Unfortunately, the people who got paraffin wax injections were often left with much more to worry about than the shape of their noses.
Smoking Cigarettes: An Outdated Remedy for Asthma?
Nowadays we are well aware of the dangers involved with smoking. Despite this, cigarettes were once recommended by medical professionals as valid treatments for a variety of complications…including asthma.
Antiquated Antidotes 