The history of medicine is filled with strange, painful, and downright terrifying treatments that left many patients dreading a trip to the doctor. Before modern science provided safe and effective medical care, doctors relied on methods that were often experimental, ineffective, or even deadly. From drilling holes in skulls to prescribing toxic substances, these historical treatments highlight how far medicine has come. Here are 10 of the most horrifying medical practices in history – some of which lasted far longer than they should have.
1. Bloodletting: Draining Away More Than Just Illness
For centuries, bloodletting was one of the most common medical treatments, used to “balance the humors” of the body. Physicians believed that many illnesses were caused by an excess of blood, and the solution was to drain it. Using lancets, leeches, or specialized tools, doctors would extract large amounts of blood, often leaving patients weak, dizzy, or even unconscious. Some individuals lost so much blood that their conditions worsened instead of improving.
Even after studies in the early 1800s questioned the effectiveness of bloodletting, some doctors continued the practice into the 20th century for conditions like high blood pressure. Perhaps the most famous victim of this treatment was George Washington, who had nearly 40% of his blood drained shortly before his death. While bloodletting has been mostly abandoned, a modified version called therapeutic phlebotomy is still used today to treat conditions like hemochromatosis.
2. Lobotomy: The Nightmare “Cure” for Mental Illness
Lobotomies were once seen as a revolutionary way to treat severe mental illnesses, but in reality, they often did far more harm than good. The procedure, which involved severing connections in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, was first developed in the 1930s and quickly became popular worldwide. Doctors used it to treat schizophrenia, depression, and even minor mood disorders, believing that disrupting certain brain pathways would “calm” the patient.
Instead, many patients were left with severe emotional blunting, personality changes, and cognitive impairments. Some lost the ability to function independently. Over 20,000 lobotomies were performed in the United States alone by the 1950s, but the rise of antipsychotic medications led to the decline of the procedure. One of the most well-known victims of lobotomy was Rosemary Kennedy, the sister of John F. Kennedy, whose failed operation left her permanently disabled.
3. Mercury: Poison in the Name of Medicine
Mercury, now known to be highly toxic, was once a common ingredient in medical treatments. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was frequently used to treat syphilis, skin conditions, and digestive issues. Patients were given calomel (a mercury-based compound) to purge their bodies of illness, but instead, they suffered nerve damage, kidney failure, and memory loss.
One of the most disturbing aspects of mercury treatments was their long-term effects. People exposed to chronic mercury poisoning developed symptoms of madness, which gave rise to the phrase “mad as a hatter.” Hat makers, who used mercury in their trade, often suffered from neurological disorders without realizing the cause. By the mid-20th century, safer alternatives – such as penicillin for syphilis – finally replaced mercury treatments.
4. Trepanation: Drilling Holes in the Skull
One of the oldest known surgical procedures, trepanation involved drilling or scraping a hole into a patient’s skull. Practiced for thousands of years, this disturbing treatment was meant to relieve pressure caused by head injuries, brain swelling, or even mental disorders. Ancient skulls discovered by archaeologists show surprising survival rates, with some individuals living for years after undergoing trepanation.
Even as late as the 19th and early 20th centuries, doctors in the United States still performed trepanation for conditions like epilepsy and severe headaches. However, the risks were immense – without antibiotics or proper sterilization, patients were vulnerable to infections that often proved fatal. Thankfully, modern neurosurgery has long since replaced this crude and terrifying practice.
5. Electroconvulsive Therapy: The Violent Early Years
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is still used today, but its early history was brutal. When first introduced in the 1930s and 1940s, ECT was performed without anesthesia or muscle relaxants, causing violent convulsions. Patients often suffered fractures, dislocated joints, and extreme psychological distress.
Originally intended to treat severe depression and schizophrenia, early ECT was so intense that many patients feared the treatment more than their illness. The negative portrayal of ECT in films like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest cemented its dark reputation. However, modern ECT – now performed under controlled conditions with anesthesia – remains an effective last-resort treatment for severe mental disorders.
6. Smoking as a “Medical Treatment”
Believe it or not, doctors once recommended cigarettes as a cure for respiratory issues, including asthma and congestion. During the early-to-mid 20th century, tobacco companies capitalized on this belief, using advertisements featuring doctors to promote cigarettes as a “healthy” option.
Slogans like “More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette” appeared in marketing campaigns, reinforcing the idea that smoking was not only safe but medically beneficial. It wasn’t until scientific research in the 1960s linked smoking to lung cancer and heart disease that the medical community turned against tobacco. Today, these old ads serve as eerie reminders of just how misguided past medical advice could be.
7. Patent Medicines: The Snake Oil Industry
Before modern drug regulations, patent medicines were unregulated, over-the-counter “cures” that often contained alcohol, opium, or cocaine. These “miracle tonics” were marketed as cures for everything from headaches to tuberculosis, with no scientific evidence backing their claims.
Some of these products were harmless, but others led to severe addiction and poisoning. It took the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 to introduce basic regulations, forcing manufacturers to list ingredients and ban false advertising. Even then, many patent medicines remained popular until the 1930s, when stricter laws finally removed them from shelves.
8. Chloroform and Ether: Risky Anesthesia
In the 19th century, chloroform and ether revolutionized surgery, allowing for pain-free operations. However, these early anesthetics came with serious risks. Chloroform was highly potent, and too much could paralyze the lungs, leading to sudden death. Ether, while safer, was flammable, posing a danger in candle-lit operating rooms.
Despite their dangers, these substances were widely used during the American Civil War and even by Queen Victoria during childbirth. Over time, safer anesthetics replaced them, but their early use paved the way for modern surgical advancements.
9. Enemas: From Cleansing to Catastrophe
Enemas have been used for thousands of years, but past practices often did more harm than good. In the 19th century, doctors used soapy water, alcohol, or castor oil in enemas, which could irritate or even perforate the bowel.
One of the strangest historical enema treatments involved tobacco smoke, which was believed to revive drowning victims. Physicians would blow smoke into the rectum in an effort to stimulate breathing – a practice that was not only ineffective but dangerously toxic.
10. Fen-Phen: The Deadly Diet Drug
In the 1990s, Fen-Phen was one of the most popular weight-loss drugs in the U.S. It promised fast results, but it came at a deadly cost. Users soon developed serious heart and lung problems, leading to billions in lawsuits.
By 1997, the FDA pulled Fen-Phen from the market, but the damage had already been done. To this day, many patients who took it suffer from permanent health complications, proving that even in modern times, medical treatments can still be terrifying mistakes.
Lessons from the Dark Side of Medicine
Looking back at these terrifying treatments, it’s clear that the road to modern medicine was paved with missteps, suffering, and dangerous experimentation. What was once considered cutting-edge science often turned out to be harmful, ineffective, or even fatal. While some of these practices helped shape better treatments, others were simply cautionary tales of medical arrogance and ignorance.
Today, we benefit from rigorous scientific testing, medical ethics, and advanced technology, ensuring that treatments are safer and more effective than ever before. But history serves as a stark reminder – what seems like a breakthrough today could become tomorrow’s mistake.
Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.