12 Medical Practices from the Past That Make Us Cringe Today
Some old medical practices were so bizarre and dangerous they made modern treatments look like spa days.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Back in the day, medicine was more guesswork than science. Doctors used leeches, saws, and toxic potions, all in the name of healing. Looking at these practices now, it’s clear they did more harm than help—and honestly, it’s a miracle anyone survived.
1. Bloodletting as a Cure-All
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Doctors believed that most illnesses came from “bad blood,” so they drained it—literally. Barbers often doubled as surgeons, slicing veins or using leeches to get the job done. People got weaker, not better, but this went on for centuries. It was a go-to fix for everything from headaches to heart issues.
2. Trepanation (Drilling Holes in Skulls)
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Yes, they used to drill into skulls to “let out evil spirits” or relieve pressure. There was no anesthesia, no antibiotics—just a chisel and hope. Sometimes, the patient lived, sometimes not. This wasn’t just ancient; it popped up again in the Renaissance because, apparently, humans don’t learn fast.
3. Mercury for Everything
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Mercury, the toxic metal, was once a medical superstar. People drank it, rubbed it on their skin, and even inhaled it to “cleanse” their systems. It caused brain damage, organ failure, and death, but hey, it was shiny and mysterious. This was especially common in treating syphilis, which made things even worse.
4. Cocaine in Medicine
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Cocaine was once the go-to for pain relief and even teething babies. Yep, doctors gave it to kids and called it progress. It numbed pain, sure, but it also created raging addictions. Pharmaceutical companies even sold it in over-the-counter syrups like it was no big deal.
5. Smoking for Asthma
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To clear the lungs, people were told to smoke tobacco. Imagine wheezing, and the doctor hands you a pipe. It sounds like a joke, but this was serious advice. Obviously, smoking did the opposite and made everything worse.
6. Dead Mouse Paste for Toothaches
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In ancient Egypt, crushed dead mice were applied to sore gums. As gross as it sounds, people thought it could stop the pain. In reality, it just introduced more bacteria. Today, even the thought of this feels like a toothache.
7. Lobotomies for Mental Health
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Mental illness? Just stick a spike in the brain and stir. Lobotomies were brutal and often left patients emotionless or worse. It was considered groundbreaking at the time, even earning a Nobel Prize. Now, it’s viewed as one of the darkest chapters in psychiatric care.
8. Arsenic for Beauty and Health
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People once took small doses of arsenic to improve their skin and energy. It gave a temporary glow, then slowly poisoned them. They didn’t know better, but the results were deadly over time. It was poison disguised as a miracle cure.
9. Electric Belts for Virility
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In the 19th century, men strapped on electric belts to “boost manhood.” These gadgets zapped the lower regions with mild electric shocks. Spoiler: they didn’t work, and they hurt—a lot. However, the ads promised strength, stamina, and success, so people bought in.
10. Heroin as Cough Syrup
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Bayer, the aspirin company, once sold heroin to treat coughs. It worked, but it also made users feel amazing and deeply addicted. It was especially marketed for children with colds. The line between medicine and drug abuse was seriously blurred.
11. Animal Dung Ointments
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Ancient doctors used animal poop as part of wound care. They believed it could fight infections, but it likely caused more. This included everything from pig to crocodile dung. Imagine being injured and someone smears manure on you—that was “treatment.”
12. Tooth Extraction for Mental Illness
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Some believed that mental illness started in the mouth, so doctors pulled out healthy teeth to “cure” patients. It didn’t help, of course, and only added pain to the problem. This was done in the 20th century, not ancient times—yikes.