The first milk transfusion was done on a 40-year old patient who was given an injection of 12 ounces.
Category: Quackery
The Kooky Ketchup Cure-All
Posted by in Quackery Wouldn’t it really be something though to cure your aches and pains by eating french fries with a side of ketchup?
Teething Babies and the Absurd Practice of Gum Lancing
Today, parents dread the period of teething because it brings with it a fussy baby, but at least our understanding of infant health has developed enough over the past decades that we reach for a cold teether rather than a blade.
Electric Hair Brushes and Magnetic Cure-Alls
Posted by in Individuals, Object Focus, Quackery George Scott was an English businessman who had no formal medical training whatsoever, yet he made a killing off of several “medical” devices he had invented for home use.
Dolphin Sonar and Baby Brain Development
Posted by in Quackery The sonar of the dolphin is thought to reach the baby in utero and stimulate enhanced brain activity
Gladiator Blood: A Tonic of Life
The Romans believed that the blood of the young men slain violently in the gladiatorial games had the ability to cure diseases such as epilepsy.
The Putrefied Whale Cure
This since abandoned “cure” involved taking a long soak, but their experience was nothing like a trip to the spa. In fact, I imagine the whole ordeal was rather hot, foul-smelling, and gut-churning.
Waiting to Die on the Island of Ghosts: Poveglia
Posted by in Uncategorized Currently, the island of Poveglia remains lost to time. It sits there housing what remains of the thousands of people who never returned from its shores.
Deadly Nightshade and Doe-Eyed Beauties
Posted by in Horror, Quackery, Victorians Victorian ladies found themselves using eye drops containing a rather poisonous ingredient.
The Anomaly Known as Spontaneous Human Combustion (SHC)
Posted by in Uncategorized Is it possible to be here one moment and gone the next in a blazing flame without the help of any external factors? Let’s explore
The Unlucky Pustule: Small Pox Inoculations and Syphillis
Posted by in Horror, Quackery, Victorians Despite some unexpected side-effects, the overall success of vaccinations throught the war led to more widespread acceptance of inoculation by the general public in the following years.
Surgery Without Anesthesia: Babies Can’t Feel Pain?
Prior to the 1980s, many medical professionals believed that babies could not feel pain, therefore, medical procedures performed on infants took place without the use of anesthesia.
Images from the Dissection Room
Posted by in Horror, Modern, Uncategorized At first glance, these images from a bygone time are gruesome and jarring. Dismantled corpses with a thousand-yard stare looking past the camera while groups of men and women gathered around with tools in their hands, pipes in their mouths, and open anatomy books.
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.
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.
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.
An Army of Ant Sutures
Posted by in Quackery Creeped out by insects? Then you may want to skip this one! We will discuss how ants can be used to stitch wounds shut!
Blowing Smoke: The Popularity of the Tobacco Enema
Posted by in Quackery In the 18th century a common practice in resuscitation was to blow tobacco smoke up the unconscious individual’s rear end.
Antiquated Antidotes 