Creative Ways To Treat Illness In History, From Drilling The Skull Of A Living Person To Laughter As A Medicine!

1. Trepanation

Trepanation is one of the oldest surgeries. It literally drills or scraps a hole in the skull. Ancient people thought this could cure problems like headaches or mental disorders by releasing evil spirits or pressure in the brain. Evidence shows that this practice dates back thousands of years, and many who had it done actually survived and many died ofcourse!

2. Bloodletting

Bloodletting was very common, especially in medieval Europe. Doctors believed many illnesses happened because of an imbalance of bodily fluids, especially blood. They thought that by drawing blood, they could help restore balance to human body. Unfortunately, this often did more harm than good, leading to weakness and sometimes even death.

3. Mummified Animal Parts for Healing

In ancient Egypt, people believed mummified animal parts had magical healing powers. Doctors would use these mummies as poultices for different ailments, thinking they held the essence of the animals. This practice shows how spirituality and medicine were connected in ancient cultures.

4. Honey and Mold

Long before antibiotics were discovered, ancient Egyptians used honey for its antibacterial properties. They applied honey to wounds and burns to help them heal. Interestingly, they also used a mixture of moldy bread, which contained penicillin. This ancient knowledge hinted at the development of antibiotics much later!

5. Frog Legs

In many cultures, certain animals were believed to have healing powers. For example, in ancient Rome, people thought frog legs could cure different illnesses. In medieval Europe, people ate roasted mice or used animal fats on their skin to treat everything from warts to wounds.

6. Laughter as Medicine

Ancient Greeks believed laughter could heal. They thought humor could improve health and ease suffering. This belief led to early forms of therapeutic humor, reminding us that sometimes a good laugh really is the best medicine!

Many of these treatments may seem odd today but they show us the beliefs and knowledge of those times. As we continue to advance in medical science, it’s important to remember the creativity of our ancestors in their quest for healing. Who knows what future generations will think of our modern treatments?