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
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
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
Petiot was arrested in 1944 and admitted to killing at least 60 people.
A Spoonful of Starvation: Linda Burfield Hazzard
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
“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
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
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?!
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
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
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.
The Mystery of the Salem Witch Trials: How a Fungus May be to Blame for the Strange Occurrences
Almost everyone has heard of the Salem witch trials. Could these events have been caused by moldy cereal grains?
“Living Babies in Incubators”: A Lifesaving Sideshow Attraction
Baby incubators have been able to save hundreds of thousands of young lives. The story of how incubators went from being used in zoos…to sideshows… and finally in hospitals is as fascinating and mind-boggling as it sounds.
Christmas Disease: The Little Boy whose Blood Would Not Clot
Christmas disease, also known as hemophilia B is a rare genetic disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly. Learn more about the first boy to be diagnosed with Hemophilia B.
An Army of Ant Sutures
Creeped out by insects? Then you may want to skip this one! We will discuss how ants can be used to stitch wounds shut!
“Can Anyone Hear Me!?”: The Terrifying Reality of Premature Burial
Being buried alive is a fate worse than death, and in a time before medical science developed sophisticated methods for testing if someone was actually dead, premature burial was a common occurrence.
Blowing Smoke: The Popularity of the Tobacco Enema
In the 18th century a common practice in resuscitation was to blow tobacco smoke up the unconscious individual’s rear end.