The life of a pirate was a difficult one. Violence, loneliness, sickness, and exhaustion just came with the territory. Ships did what they could to keep their crews healthy, but the task proved challenging.
Tag: Medical History
Medical Service Dogs: A Healing Paw
Posted by in Modern Millions of people face daily trials due to medical conditions and these trained animals are able to offer assistance and peace of mind otherwise unavailable to them.
A Substitute for Blood: Milk Transfusions
The first milk transfusion was done on a 40-year old patient who was given an injection of 12 ounces.
Electrified Baths and Animated Dead Frog Legs
Posted by in Horror, Individuals, Object Focus He discovered that the legs of dead frogs would twitch and flop about when electricity was applied.
The 1925 Great Race of Mercy: How Sled Dogs Saved Countless Lives
Posted by in Modern To this day, adults and children alike are captivated by the men and their dogs who braved the harsh wilderness in order to deliver hope to one incredibly remote town.
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.
The Painful Custom of Producing ‘Lotus Feet’: Chinese Foot Binding
Posted by in Modern, Object Focus Women who underwent the grueling process had experienced an intimate intergenerational bond amongst the women who had lived through the same cultural experience.
America’s Longest Graveyard: Death on the Oregon Trail
Posted by in Horror The Oregon Trail is nicknamed the nation’s longest graveyard because there are thought to be about ten graves per mile.
Banded Bellies: Exploring Bariatric Surgery
Posted by in Modern It is estimated that 250,000 weight-loss operations take place each year in the United States.
The Ilizarov Method: Limb-Lengthening Surgery
Posted by in Modern, Object Focus The bone is stretched a small amount each day until the desired height is reached, then the bone is allowed to fuse back together.
The Cries of the Unheard: Forced Nazi Sterilization
Posted by in Horror, Individuals, Modern The Nazi Party subscribed itself to pseudoscientific ideas regarding genetics in order to push their racial ideologies to the brink of extremism.
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.
A “Healthy” Glow- A Brief History of Sunless Tanning
Posted by in Modern Some people are simply set on achieving that perfect tan-but at what cost?
Angel of the Battlefield: Clara Barton
Posted by in Individuals, Victorians Clara Barton’s story shows that the impact of a compassionate woman can not only change lives, but save them.
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.
Chainsaw Babies and symphysiotomies
Posted by in Horror, Object Focus During the late 18th century, the chainsaw was utilized by doctors during complicated childbirths.
Deadly Nightshade and Doe-Eyed Beauties
Posted by in Horror, Quackery, Victorians Victorian ladies found themselves using eye drops containing a rather poisonous ingredient.
A Crimson Gift: The Rise of Blood Transfusions
After the guns ceased and the dust settled, one of the only triumphs that remained was the expansion of the medical field’s abity to treat the sick and wounded. The knowledge hat was gained in those years of hardship would continue to influence how people are treated today.
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.
Antiquated Antidotes 