Bizarre Medical and Other Procedures that Were Considered Rational in the Past

Coca-Cola Literally Had Coke in It

In 1894, Coca Cola was originally marketed as a remedy for exhaustion, nervous disorders, and digestive issues. The initial formulation was supposed to incorporate the stimulant cocaine. Today, Coca-Cola is still available on the market, but it contains significantly less than .03% of cocaine compared to its early version. The enormous quantity of cocaine in the 1894 version is evident when you consider that you’d need to consume over a 100 cans of today’s Coke to reach the same cocaine concentration found in a single can back then.

Electric Bath Treatment 1910

In the 1910, people were asked to sit in a tub or their limbs were immersed in water containers and mild electric current was released in the water. This was done to treat rheumatism and arthritis. Today, this would be considered electrocution and torture. Doctors didn’t know how a lot about how electricity worked at the time – they just thought it was a miracle cure! The treatment continued until 1940s when another doctor found that instead of curing diseases like rheumatism, electric shock therapy actually made them worse.

Manual High Speed Drill Used By Dentists

Before the invention of electricity, dentist had to use drills that were powered by hand. These tools used a foot pedal in order for the drill to work and spin around at very high speed which was extremely painful not only for children but also adults too! Today with electric machines instead of manual ones, it is much easier on everyone’s teeth when getting drilled or treated in some other way.

Ideal Rectal Dilators In 1893

It is a little bit surprising that these kinds of things existed since it could have been dangerous if they had not known what was going on with people who used them – back then nobody really knew much about the human body so many irresponsible practices happened. In those days there were no doctors or healthcare professionals taking care of everyone which meant doing whatever you wanted because everything was unpredictable meaning long lives for all under better management nowadays! The shape of these dilators was also a point of concern for many as people thought that it could be used as an adult toy.

Gentleman’s Guide to Amputation from the Victorian Era

In the Victorian period, amputation was a frequent practice to eliminate gangrene and various infections. The survival of many individuals was facilitated as this helped in their healing process! Even in the present day, amputations are performed, but only when absolutely needed, like when an individual suffers an injury that necessitates the removal of a body part or something similar. Nowadays, there’s a plethora of advanced technologies which helps us avoid resorting to such agonising procedures, contributing to a longer life with less hardship!

It was Okay to Smoke Cigarettes While You Were Admitted in the Hospital

Back in the early 20th century it was totally fine for patients to buy and smoke cigarettes in their hospital bed. The harmful effects of tobacco weren’t that well known at that time and it was considered as a relaxant which could calm the patient’s body. So doctors didn’t bother that much about the patients smoking dangerous cigarettes right in their hospital bed. Today if a patient smokes cigarette in the hospital, he/she will be asked to stop it and the patient may even lose his or her medical insurance benefits. It is considered that tobacco products are highly dangerous for health and can cause different diseases from cancer to cardiovascular problems.

Lobotomies Were Very Common

Between the years 1939 and 1951, around 18,000 lobotomies were performed in the United States on veterans, rebels-political opponents, prisoners and even in some cases it was performed on misbehaving children to improve their behavior. Lobotomies were a popular procedure for many years in the United States. Many people who had mental illnesses or other health issues would have this done to them by their doctor! Nowadays we are very fortunate to be able to know everything about our body parts and how they work so you don’t need something crazy like that anymore since everybody gets better healthcare nowadays meaning longer lives for everyone because now people can get treatment without having to resort to such methods thanks to our great physicians who take care of us all equally these days!

Before Polio Vaccination, Children Were Put In To an Iron Lung- 1937

Polio was a very common disease that caused high fever, breathing problems and paralysis in children. Before the advent of vaccination which eventually came to be known as one of the most successful medical inventions ever, doctors had no idea how they could cure this deadly virus. One way they thought would work is putting kids alive inside an iron lung – machine that helped them breath without any problems! This lasted for months but even though some survived, not all lived through it since many died due to pneumonia or other infections contracted while living inside these machines longer than necessary.

Civil War veteran Jacob Miller Survived a Headshot

Back in the Civil War, there were no proper medical facilities to help soldiers after they got injured. One of these people was Jacob Miller who had a bullet stuck inside his skull for decades which caused him pain but he couldn’t do anything about it since back then surgery wasn’t done unless necessary and having an open wound on your head is definitely not considered as something that can be fixed immediately! Of course today with modern medicine, civil war veterans would have been given much more support than what they actually received during their times.

Paul Anderson back-lifting 6,270 lbs., the most weight ever lifted by a human. (1957)

Back in the day, Paul Anderson was a strong man who managed to lift an impressive amount of weight for his muscle mass and power! Today even though we still see people lifting heavy objects it just doesn’t seem as impressive anymore because everyone has access to different types of food than what they used to have back then. This is why today’s sportsmen eat much more than athletes from the past did – this gives them enough strength to perform well during competitions or events like these.

Headline about Polio Vaccination Being Available – 1955

This is a one of the more positive pictures on the list. It is from the year 1955, a nurse is showing someone who was on a respirator due to polio the newspaper headline about the vaccine that would soon become known as one of the greatest medical inventions ever. Today we have much better doctors and science than what there used to be before – meaning that people are able to live longer lives without worrying too much about getting sick as often as they did back then!

Pharmacy in New Zealand in 1800s.

This is an apothecary from the late 19th century in New Zealand, featuring many common items from that era. It houses a lot of oversized bottles filled with various kinds of remedies tailored for distinct needs! During this time, there was no separation between prescription and non-prescription drugs. Compared to modern pharmacies that strive to stay abreast with technological advancements to serve customers more effectively, those from before appear quite dated. Notably, these old-time pharmacies also provided services like tooth removal.

Oldest Native American to have ever lived.

The White Wolf is revered to have had a lifespan of 137 years. Throughout his lifetime, he held several wives but bore no offspring. Naturally, there is skepticism surrounding his age, with many discrediting the claims. Yet, many reliable indicators affirm the plausibility of his longevity. His life stretched from 1785 to 1922, earning him the honor of being the oldest known Native American. He undoubtedly amassed significant wisdom and insight into American history as he watched much of it unfold before his very eyes.

Dr. Kilmer’s Solution to Menstrual Cramps

This product inaccurately promised to alleviate menstrual discomfort, which isn’t shocking given that individuals consistently seek methods to alleviate pain, even if it entails experimenting with ineffective products such as this one! Today, we have access to far superior medicine than in the past, allowing women to lead more comfortable lives without significant concerns. The company was shut down in 1906.

Tallest person in history. Robert Wadlow He died in 1940 aged 22.

Robert Wadlow is the tallest person in history. He reached a height of eight feet eleven point one inches, which was big even for today’s standards! Robert died at an early age because he had a condition called hyperplasia of the pituitary gland that caused him to get very tall and die aged twenty two. Today we know more about what causes people to be taller than others so it would not have happened if there were better doctors around back then – this is why everyone has access to much better healthcare nowadays which means no risks of dying young like before!

Tanning babies at the Chicago Orphanage, 1925, to offset winter rickets.

In the early 1900s, it was suggested by medical experts that exposing infants to ultraviolet light could help them avoid rickets during winter time when there is less sunlight. This might sound crazy but this was a very popular practice back then – it’s not surprising since people had no idea what they were doing and just wanted to try everything possible! We have better doctors now who know exactly how to take care of their patients so we don’t have any reasons for resorting to such methods which means everybody lives more comfortably by knowing that they can get sick or injured without too much trouble as long as they go see one of our great physicians!

Stretching Device to Increase Your Height – 1931

A man trying out a stretching device which claimed to increase his height by two to six inches in 1931. It is no big surprise that this was popular since it meant having the benefits of being taller without any efforts! In those days there were many things you could do as long as they promised good results, even if some of them might have been dangerous since people didn’t know much about what causes one’s body parts to grow or shrink. Nowadays we know more about everything and how our bodies work so everyone can live a lot safer knowing exactly what will happen with their health – nobody needs to resort to such methods anymore which means everybody gets better healthcare nowadays meaning longer lives for all!

An Apparatus to Check the Reflex Movement of the Eyes

Back in the day, there were some strange experiments where people would try to cement a miniature lamp onto one’s eye during an experiment. The goal of these tests was to investigate the reflex movements of your eyes and their association with visual illusions so it is not surprising since everyone wanted to learn more about what causes our body parts to work! Today we know lots of different things that help us understand how every part works which means no risks for anyone because now everybody can be safe knowing they are doing nothing too serious when visiting doctors meaning longer lives all around thanks to better healthcare nowadays!

Beak Masks worn by doctors during the Plague. The beaks held scented substances.

In the old days, doctors used to wear beaked masks during the plague. The unique shape of the masks didn’t serve much of a purpose but rather held scented substances to help mask the smell. This sounds strange, but this was what they did at that time! Nowadays we have better doctors who know exactly how to take care of their patients so nobody needs to be exposed to such risks which means everybody gets better healthcare nowadays and can enjoy longer lives by knowing everything will turn out fine when going for treatment meaning everyone has an equal chance now thanks to our great physicians!

Baby incubators in 1900.

This is an old incubator from the 1900s. Back then, incubators were used to help infants that had breathing difficulties. There was a belief at the time that if you put them in an environment with constant temperature and humidity, they would be able to survive! Now we have much better doctors who know exactly how to take care of their patients so nobody needs such risks which means everybody is safe knowing they will get excellent treatment whenever there’s anything wrong meaning longer lives all around thanks to our great physicians!

The first kidney dialysis in the United States- 1974

In 1947, Mount Sinai performed the first kidney dialysis in the United States. The procedure involved using a machine to cleanse the blood of waste products which was not available until then – this would have been too bad if it hadn’t happened! Nowadays we are very fortunate to be able to know everything there is about our body parts and how they work so you don’t need anything crazy like that anymore since everybody gets better healthcare nowadays meaning longer lives for everyone because now people can get treatment without having to resort to such methods thanks to our great physicians who take care of us all equally these days!

The unique flu masks worn during the flu epidemic after the First World War, 1919.

The flu epidemic of 1919 led to an increase in the sales of gauze masks. The mask was worn by many people after WWI, but they didn’t help stop anything! Nowadays we are very fortunate to be able to know everything about our body parts and how they work so you don’t need something crazy like that anymore since everybody gets better healthcare nowadays meaning longer lives for everyone because now people can get treatment without having to resort to such methods thanks to our great physicians who take care of us all equally these days!

Gas Masks for Children in Liverpool 1942.

During the Second World War, children all around Britain were wearing gas masks. This was a protective mask that had to be worn in order for kids to survive through chemical warfare – which ended up never happening! Today it is very rare if not impossible that you will see someone walking on the streets with such an object because there are no threats like this anymore. However, parents still teach their children how to act during war times and other disasters just in case they happen at one point or another.

Walter Reed physiotherapy store 1920s

This is Walter Reed’s physiotherapy store from the 1920s. The equipment back then wasn’t as good since they didn’t have access to some of the technology we do today! Nowadays people are much better off because nobody has to resort to such risks which means everybody gets excellent healthcare nowadays and longer lives for everyone because now if there’s any problem with you, it can be treated without needing anything too weird like that thanks to our great physicians who give us all equal treatment these days!

Photos with the Deceased Before Burial

Before burial, many people would hold their deceased family members or take photos with them in lifelike poses. This was a very common practice back then and many people including many royals used to do it.  Although this practice is very weird by our modern standards, this was a normal thing to do during the Victorian era. People used to think that if they kept taking photos with their deceased family members, then somehow they would be able to keep the spirits of their dead alive and that it would allow them to commune and have a relationship with their dead family members. Sometimes, they would even have a lifelike pose after the person has died and take photos of that as well.

A woman using an electric inhaling apparatus which produces a medicated fog used in the treatment of colds and influenza, circa 1929.

Breathing machines and electric inhaling apparatus were used to help those with colds, influenza, etc. These were not as safe as the ones we have today so people had a lot of bad experiences back then! Nowadays though we are very fortunate to know exactly how our body works such that you don’t need something crazy like this anymore because everybody gets better healthcare nowadays meaning longer lives for everyone thanks to great physicians taking care of us all equally these days!

A young patient getting fit with a respirator in 1955.

Back in the 1950s, individuals with respiratory issues were commonly fitted with respirators, a procedure not devoid of risk, especially for those with other health concerns. These were bulky devices that covered much of the abdomen. However, today’s health care is top-notch and contributes to increased life expectancy, all thanks to skilled doctors, who ensure everyone receives equal care and attention!

The Elephant Man

Joseph Carey Merrick was a very unfortunate man who had severe face and body deformities. He used to be in the circus because he couldn’t do anything else! Nowadays we are very fortunate though because doctors know exactly how their patients work so nobody has to resort for something like that anymore meaning everybody gets excellent healthcare nowadays and longer lives for everyone thanks to great physicians giving us all equal treatment these days!

Blood transfusion bottle from 1978 in England

A blood transfusion bottle from 1978. These were not very safe because you didn’t know what people had in their system and stuff like that! Since we don’t need to worry about things like this nowadays, everybody gets excellent healthcare meaning longer lives for everyone thanks to great physicians taking care of us all equally these days!

Electro-convulsive therapy

Despite its negative connotations, electro-convulsive therapy, also known as electroshock, has proven to be extremely efficient. Its workings remain a mystery, leading to skepticism among some individuals. However, with advancements in modern medicine, such treatments are now largely obsolete, as doctors know precisely how to care for us. This ensures top-tier healthcare for the general public and an extension in lifespan for all. Credit should be given to our commendable physicians who assure that everyone receives equal, high-quality treatment today!

Fish oil Were Given to Children in School

Once upon a time, schools used to administer fish oil to students due to believed health benefits. This practice was abandoned when an eruption of parental objections surfaced, criticizing the schools for this action. Presently, parents maintain a skepticism towards such practices, adhering to the philosophy of erring on the side of caution when they are unsure. The cacophony of protest from parents compelled schools to cease this practice. They did not approve of the educational institutions or the government administering any kind of medication in their absence.

Frank Lentini was born in 1889 with a parasitic twin attached to his body at the base of his spine consisting of a pelvis bone and a rudimentary set of male genitalia.

Lentini was an Italian-born circus freak, who became the world’s most famous three-legged man after he visited New York City in 1912. Frank Lentini had a parasitic twin attached to his body at the base of his spine which consisted of a pelvis bone and male genitalia! He gained fame as one of the first well known war amputees because during World War I people would come from all over just to see him. These days we are very fortunate to have such great physicians taking care of us all equally so nobody has to resort for something like that anymore meaning everybody gets excellent healthcare these days and longer lives for everyone thanks to great physicians giving us all equal treatment these days!

Artificial Eardrum: 1800s

In the late 1800s, people used to purchase tiny devices that were inserted in the ear and sold as artificial eardrums. These allowed sound waves to be isolated which meant you could hear sounds better! It is very lucky we don’t need something like this anymore because now everybody gets excellent healthcare meaning longer lives for everyone thanks to great physicians taking care of us all equally these days!

Lucy Hobbs Taylor: first American woman to graduate from dental school, 1860s.

This was the time when women education wasn’t given as much important as men’s education. Traditional views were still prevalent during these times. Lucy Hobbs Taylor was the first American woman to graduate from dental school in the 1860s. She practiced dentistry for years and gained fame as one of America’s top oral surgeons during her time practicing! These days we are very fortunate because now everybody gets excellent healthcare which means longer lives for everyone thanks to great physicians giving us all equal treatment these days!

Neurological exam with electrical device, c. 1884.

In the 1800s, physicians utilized electric contraptions to perform neurologic assessments! These apparatuses were employed for reflex testing, yielding diverse opinions on their effectiveness. Today, neurological examinations are carried out meticulously, given their significance in the medical field. Regrettably, the folks from the past were not as fortunate.

A 19th Century vampire hunting kit

During the 18th and 19th century, hunting vampires was a prevalent practice. Implements like the cross, garlic, wooden stakes with a hammer, rosary beads, and the Bible were tools of defense against vampires. Each household typically had these kits on hand, and it was also commonplace for individuals to carry these kits when traveling. The prevalent myth was that wicked individuals turned into vampires after death and returned to prey on their kin, sustaining themselves on their blood.

Maud Stevens Wagner was the first known female tattoo artist in the US. (1907)

In 1897 Maud Stevens Wagner was working as a ticket seller at the Coney Island freak show. That’s where she met a side show tattoo artist, Gus Wagner. On her part what started as a job soon turned into a loving relationship and they got married in 1900. The couple had worked together for years traveling from city to city showcasing their tattoos. Maud Stevens Wagner was the first known female tattoo artist in the US. It was not easy for a woman to make money back then, especially if she had no education or “official” training. Maud was really successful in her line of work, she became the first American woman to become a professional tattoo artist. She continued with her husband’s profession and worked along with his assistants in several traveling shows.

The process of binding feet starts before the arch is fully develop – somewhere between the ages of 4 and 9.

Foot binding would commence before a girl’s arch had fully developed, typically between the ages of 4 and 9. These young girls were required to maintain a position that kept their feet firmly bound for the majority of the day, roughly 22 hours. This cultural practice was laden with risk, including lasting harm and even death. Numerous potential hazards existed, including the possibility of fractured bones or enduring disability.

Leeching Was Very Common: Antique Leeching Kit

In the past doctors used leeches to treat blood flow-related illnesses. Leeches were placed on specific parts of the body to suck out infected blood, which the doctors would then remove with a knife. The removed leech’s body would be placed back into its jar for safe keeping after having been cooked in fire, so it wouldn’t crawl out.

A leech is essentially a segmented, worm-like organism approximately 10cm in length, equipped with suckers on both ends. These creatures are predominantly located in global freshwater environments such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and marshes, with the exception of Antarctica.

Willem Einthoven, the Inventor of the First Practical ECG/EKG in 1903

The ECG is an important diagnostic tool for doctors to measure the electrical activity of a patient’s heart, which detects abnormalities in cardiac rhythm. The measurements are recorded on graph paper producing line tracings.

Born in Semarang, Java Island (Indonesia), Willem Einthoven (1860-1927) undertook his medical studies at Utrecht University under the guidance of Franciscus Donders. Upon completing his education in 1883, he served at Leiden University. There, he perfected the ECG by incorporating galvanometers to detect minor variances in electrical potential across diverse parts of the body.

Einthoven used three metal discs suspended by threads attached to a milliammeter between them to act as electrodes for recording the electrical activity. Einthoven won the Nobel Prize in Medicine “for his discovery of the mechanism of the electrocardiogram”. His invention received great interest from scientists around the world, and led to further development of more specific ECG measurements that are used today for diagnosis of heart abnormalities. This electrically based diagnostic tool is still used worldwide by doctors to detect abnormal cardiac rhythms, diagnose heart problems and assess how well a patient’s treatment is working.

Taking an x-ray in 1942.

This is how x rays were taken back in 1942. The process was a little complex back then as there weren’t any powerful machines available like we have now. X-rays were discovered in 1895 by Wilhelm Röntgen when he observed that some kind of invisible radiation was passing through his lab’s cardboard covered furniture and exposing an unexposed photographic plate, leading him to believe this might be a way to capture images of our internal organs. He referred to this radiation as a new kind of “X” – for unknown.

Burnt Skin Pattern from An explosion 1945

This shows how adverse the effects of an explosion can be on your skin. The patient exposure to ionizing radiation. Lesions are symmetrical and linear with hyperpigmentation present on most of the affected areas. Nodules are also observed in some areas of the patient’s skin, but no hair loss occurred after exposure to ionizing radiation. The patient’s history is significant for radiation exposure. The course of the burn was not typical because there were areas of skin sparing. The lesions are linear, sharply demarcated, and have associated hyperpigmentation.

Woman with an artificial leg, c. 1890-1900.

This lady endured an infection that resulted in her leg being amputated. In a move that was quite unique for the period, she began to utilize a prosthetic leg. Her ability to ambulate effectively with this artificial limb was remarkable. Undeniably, the device was an innovative leap well beyond its contemporary time, permitting the lady significant independence in her daily life. The prosthetic leg contributed significantly, allowing her the freedom to walk unaided.

A female bodybuilder from the early 1900s.

Nowadays, you will frequently observe women with muscular physiques, but this was not the case in the 1900s. During that era, it was not seen as attractive for a woman to have a muscular build. Those who did have it were often sought out to join the circus because their physique was perceived as quite the novelty.

The Four Legged Girl Myrtle Corbin – 1880

Myrtle Corbin came into the world as a dipygus, displaying four legs and two completely operational pelvises. This image dates back to 1880. Frequently, she was the target of ridicule due to her distinct physique, causing immense grief to her parents. Her peculiar look also attracted the attention of circus administrators who routinely presented her as the girl with four legs.

Frieda Pushnik The girl with no limbs

Frieda Pushnik is one of the most famous people from the 20^th century. She was born without any limbs. She did not have any hands or legs however she denied any sort of disability or deformity she had to achieve a celebrity status. Even though she did not have any limbs she was still very healthy. She passed away in the year 2000 at the age of 77.

This 3,300-year-old Egyptian stele is thought to depict a polio victim

A three millennia-old Egyptian stone slab appears to depict a victim of polio, causing a wave of intrigue revolving around the disease. Numerous authorities suspect that an outbreak of polio could potentially have occurred during that period. Further investigation of this matter could potentially provide valuable insights for combating polio in the contemporary world. Despite the suggestive nature of the depiction, it remains uncertain whether it does indeed portray polio.

Working out at the gym aboard the Titanic, 1912.

Indeed, the Titanic was a unique vessel, boasting facilities and amenities unheard of in other ships of its time. Among its many features was a gymnasium for guest use, promoting health and fitness even on-board. This image captures passengers exercising during this ill-fated journey, a voyage that is destined to remain imprinted in our historical memory as one of the most catastrophic events ever.

Murder Bottles for Victorian Babies

In the Victorian Era, children were given water bottles to drink from so called “murder bottles” which caused multiple deaths among young children. There are accounts of toddlers being found dead with a murder bottle nearby because it was filled with poisonous substances like laudanum or alcohol and these kids had no idea that they shouldn’t swallow what is inside the bottle! Today parents will be extremely shocked to see such a thing happening as this would be considered child abuse but back in those days’ people didn’t care about their kid’s well-being at all – only looks mattered for them! The major reason that these bottles came to be called as the murder bottles was the fact that bacteria started growing inside these bottles which caused fatal infections in children.

Harriet Hubbard Ayer’s Moth and Freckle Lotion.

“Moth” was a term used during the Victorian era to describe a facial flaw. Moth’s facial cream was designed to reduce skin imperfections and freckles, and this feature made it highly appealing to many females, principally due to its effectiveness in naturally lightening freckles. The cream’s potency, especially for those with pale skin, was likely down to its key component, silver nitrate. Another constituent was lead acetate, utilized to prevent melanin formation.