Imagine a new illness suddenly pops up. Doctors have never dealt with it. It spreads like wildfire. It disrupts daily life. Panic sets in, shops close, hospitals are packed to capacity. Bodies are piling up. It might sound familiar. But we’re not talking about Covid. The Black Death left at least 25 million people dead long before coronavirus struck.
It was at its worst between 1347-1352. And was blamed on anything from the wrath of God, to the work of the devil, to the planets and even “bad air”. Health professionals only discovered in 1894 that it was actually the work of bacteria. Carried mainly by fleas on rats. The suspected causes were bizarre. The treatments even more so.
Bored Panda came across this thread from the Creepy.org “X” account. It details, in pictures, some of the most bizarre medical practices from back in the day. Keep scrolling for a creepy and sometimes cruel look at historical “science”. And be thankful you live in an era where you can pop a pill for pain. Instead of undergoing some of the procedures featured here.
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