15 Terrifying Ancient Medical Practices
If you were fortunate enough to invent a time machine and journey back to the ancient world, you’d better hope you don’t fall ill. Medicine in those days was a far cry from what we know today—it was equal parts fascinating and downright terrifying. Ancient healers often practiced remedies that might seem barbaric or bizarre through a modern lens, yet they were crafted with the tools and beliefs of their time.
While Hippocrates famously declared “do no harm” nearly 2,400 years ago, the ancient world was still full of treatments that could do just that. From bloodletting to trepanation, many so-called cures were as likely to shock as they were to heal. Even when some of these methods succeeded, the process often came with a side of horror that’s hard to forget.
Step back in time with us and explore 15 ancient medical practices that tell a story of humanity’s enduring quest to treat the body, no matter the cost. You may find yourself both in awe of their ingenuity and relieved to live in the age of modern medicine.
15. Heroin
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Heroin wasn’t always the infamous street drug we know today. Once upon a time, it was a trusted over-the-counter remedy, derived from morphine and marketed with confidence. Back then, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a certain faith in the healing power of medicines like this—a faith that, in hindsight, feels both fascinating and unsettling.
Heroin was used for everything from headaches to stubborn coughs, even finding its way into treatments for children. Imagine that: a child with a nagging cough being handed a soothing syrup laced with heroin. One medical professional famously claimed there was no risk of addiction—a statement that would later echo with tragic irony. But for a moment, it seemed like a miracle cure. After all, it did stop the cough.
This was a time when the line between medicine and mystery was still being drawn, and the remedies of the past reflected both the ingenuity and the naivety of a world still learning its limits.
14. Human Remains
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For centuries, people looked to the human body itself for answers to their medical troubles, believing that what came from it—or even the body itself—held curative power. Imagine a time when urine was thought to strengthen teeth, or when human blood and ground-up skulls were considered remedies for illness. It was an era when the boundaries of science and superstition blurred, offering a window into the fascinating, though often unsettling, history of medicine.
Even as far back as the 1500s and 1600s, a period rich with emerging medical knowledge, these practices persisted. For the poor, who couldn’t afford the luxury of purchased human blood, public executions became a grim opportunity. They would gather to collect fresh blood, hoping it might cure their ailments. It’s a haunting image, isn’t it? One that might even give Vlad the Impaler’s legend of vampirism a run for its money.
Such practices, though bewildering now, remind us of a time when desperation and curiosity led to extraordinary—and sometimes unsettling—solutions. A journey through history like this invites us to marvel at how far we’ve come while imagining what it must have been like to live in a world where these beliefs were part of everyday life.
13. Rocks
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Not to be confused with “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson, the humble rock—yes, the kind you might stumble upon in your backyard—has a surprisingly rich history as a tool. For centuries, these simple stones were pressed into service in ways that might make us wince today. In some of the earliest known medical practices, rocks played a pivotal role, particularly in dentistry. Imagine a time when a “doctor” would have used a carefully chosen stone to knock out an aching tooth. It’s a stark reminder of how resourceful humans have always been, even if it makes us grateful for modern tools.
Of course, as time passed, the practicality of hammers took over, and soon they became the go-to tool for such procedures. Fast forward to today, and while hammers and drills still play a small role in certain dental practices, their use is far more refined than it was in those early days.
But rocks weren’t just tools—they were also some of the earliest forms of anesthesia. Yes, you read that right. Let’s just say their “numbing” effect wasn’t exactly subtle. It’s a testament to our ancestors’ ingenuity—and resilience—that they made do with what they had. Isn’t it fascinating to imagine the world they lived in? A world where even a simple stone could hold the key to survival.
12. Lobotomies
Once upon a time, medical practices were often a mix of bold experimentation and misunderstood science, and few examples are as striking as the lobotomy. This now-infamous procedure, once considered a groundbreaking treatment, was believed to cure severe mental illnesses by altering the brain’s very structure. It’s almost hard to imagine now, but there was a time when this method was hailed as a solution, despite its lack of reliable results. Any improvements were often attributed to other factors, yet the practice endured for decades.
The idea behind the lobotomy was simple yet deeply flawed: it promised to fix debilitating brain conditions with a single, dramatic intervention. And though history would later prove this procedure ineffective and even harmful, it’s bewildering to think that such a controversial method lasted well into the 20th century—some lingering as late as the 1980s. Reflecting on these medical practices, it’s both fascinating and unsettling to see how far we’ve come, and how much we’ve learned from the past.
11. Cocaine
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Over the years, cocaine has had a curious and, at times, baffling place in medical history. Once upon a time, people believed it could cure all sorts of ailments. Headaches, for example, were thought to improve because cocaine could ease sinus pressure—a claim that had some merit. But perhaps the most surprising assumption was that it could treat depression.
Picture this: in an era before modern antidepressants, the idea of a quick fix for sadness must have been tempting. And, to be fair, it’s hard to feel weighed down by melancholy when riding the artificial euphoria of a cocaine high. For a fleeting moment, it seemed to do the trick. But as history has shown us, this “cure” was anything but sustainable. Today, we look back at such practices with a mix of fascination and disbelief, adding them to the long list of outdated medical remedies best left in the past.
10. Forced Seizures
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Even today, doctors sometimes induce medical seizures, but only in carefully controlled settings and for specific reasons. However, decades ago, the approach was far less refined. Back in the 1940s and 50s, electroconvulsive therapy was used to deliberately trigger seizures by sending electric currents through the brain. The idea was bold, but often dangerous—patients were left at risk of brain damage or, tragically, death. It was a time when our understanding of such treatments was still in its infancy, yet the practice marched forward, driven by hope more than precision.
The roots of seizure treatment, though, stretch much further back—long before electricity came into play. In the 1500s, methods to provoke seizures relied on light rather than electrical currents, casting flickers and flashes to induce convulsions. It’s almost haunting to think how similar this is to the way certain lights can still trigger seizures today. These early, rudimentary practices remind us how far we’ve come, while offering a window into a fascinating, if unsettling, chapter of medical history.
9. Malaria Used to Treat Syphilis
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Imagine facing a life-threatening illness and choosing to combat it with another equally dangerous foe. It sounds unthinkable now, but in the 1920s, malaria was actually used to treat syphilis. Yes, you read that right—malaria.
This unusual approach was the brainchild of Austrian physician Julius Wagner-Jauregg, who discovered that the intense fevers caused by malaria could alleviate some of syphilis’s devastating symptoms. Malaria therapy, as it came to be known, was groundbreaking enough to earn Wagner-Jauregg the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1927—a testament to just how desperate and experimental medicine could be in that era.
To put it in perspective, this was a time when treatments were often as risky as the diseases themselves. Fever therapy, after all, wasn’t exclusive to malaria. High fevers had long been a crude but occasionally effective tool for addressing certain ailments. But deliberately infecting patients with a deadly disease? That was a step into uncharted—and perilous—territory. Unsurprisingly, while some patients showed improvement, others succumbed to the effects of malaria.
It’s stories like these that remind us how far medical science has come. Looking back, it’s humbling to see the lengths people went to in their fight against illness—a mix of courage, ingenuity, and trial by fire. It’s a chapter of history that makes us appreciate the advancements we often take for granted today.
8. Arsenic
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Once upon a time, arsenic was not the feared poison we think of today but a common tool in the ancient healer’s kit. Across civilizations, it found its way into medical practices, treating ailments like fevers and headaches. Imagine doctors of centuries past, carefully measuring out small doses, unaware of the deadly potential they held in their hands.
In those days, before modern medicine offered safer alternatives, arsenic was both a remedy and a risk—a fine line between cure and calamity. Its ability to assist with certain treatments was remarkable, though it carried a shadow of danger. Today, arsenic has all but disappeared from the realm of medicine in most parts of the world, a relic of a bygone era when humanity relied on trial and error to fight illness. Modern pharmaceuticals have thankfully taken its place, offering treatments that heal without the peril of poisoning.
Reflecting on arsenic’s medical history reminds us of how far we’ve come, trading the precarious remedies of the past for the safer, more reliable solutions of today. It’s a testament to human ingenuity, learning from what once was to create a healthier future.
7. Castration
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Castration as a medical procedure was a rare and drastic measure, avoided for obvious reasons—after all, what man would willingly undergo such an ordeal? Yet, in ancient Babylon, it was sometimes considered a last resort. Imagine a time when the causes of illnesses like urinary tract infections or kidney infections were a mystery, and treatments were little more than desperate guesses. To the Babylonians, castration might have seemed like a grim but necessary solution to ailments they couldn’t otherwise remedy.
More commonly, though, castration was tied to the role of eunuchs. Within the sprawling harems of Assyrian and Babylonian courts, those serving as eunuchs were required to undergo the removal of their testicles—a practice rooted in control and loyalty. Among the Turks, this procedure went even further, requiring the removal of both the testicles and the penis. The process was brutal and unforgiving. Picture this: no anesthesia, no comfort—just raw pain, as the testicles were crushed to perform the castration. It’s hard not to wince at the thought, isn’t it?
These stark realities remind us of a time when the human understanding of medicine and power intertwined in ways we can scarcely imagine today. Yet, they also provide a fascinating glimpse into how societies of the past coped with challenges, both medical and social, in their own uncompromising ways.
6. Mercury
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For centuries, mercury was seen as something of a wonder cure, used to treat a remarkable range of ailments. Its history stretches back to some of the earliest known medical practices, offering a fascinating glimpse into how ancient civilizations approached healing. Picture this: in ancient Persia and Greece, mercury shimmered in ointments, believed to soothe and heal. Meanwhile, in second-century China, it was thought to hold the secrets to a longer, more vibrant life.
But not all stories of mercury’s use end well. Perhaps the most striking example is that of the ambitious Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who sought immortality through a mercury pill—only to meet his untimely demise. Fast forward to the Renaissance and even into the 20th century, mercury found its way into treatments for sexually transmitted diseases. Tragically, many who turned to this “cure” suffered devastating effects, as mercury’s toxicity wreaked havoc on their kidneys and liver.
These tales of mercury’s use might leave us shaking our heads today, but they remind us of humanity’s endless quest for health, vitality, and even immortality—no matter the risk.
5. Sacrifice
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In the ancient world, one of the most common ways to ward off illness or injury was through sacrifice—often of great significance and, sometimes, great cost. Whether it was a cow, a sheep, or even a human life, these offerings were thought to appease the gods and restore health to an emperor, chieftain, or another revered figure. It’s a practice that feels distant, almost incomprehensible today, but to those who lived it, it was anything but absurd—especially if you were the one being sacrificed.
Surprisingly, human sacrifices weren’t always forced. Many individuals willingly stepped forward, believing it to be an honor to give their lives for the well-being of another. Imagine the conviction, or perhaps the societal pressures, that led to such decisions. To us, it might seem strange—unfathomable even—but to them, it was a path to glory or spiritual fulfillment. It’s a reminder of how deeply values and beliefs can shape our understanding of what it means to live and, ultimately, what it means to give.
4. Ancient Anesthetics
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Modern anesthesia, the kind we now take for granted, didn’t become a standard part of medical practice until the 19th century. But before its arrival, humanity relied on simpler, and often grittier, methods to ease the pain of surgery. Imagine a time when pain relief boiled down to three rudimentary options: potent drugs, strong alcohol, or, perhaps most memorably, a solid blow to the head.
That last method, as crude as it sounds, was surprisingly common in ancient Egypt. Picture a dusty room, sunlight filtering through narrow windows, as a doctor prepared for a procedure. The first step? A swift knock to the skull—not unlike something out of a slapstick routine, but with a far more serious intent. They didn’t reach for a rock, as one might expect. Egyptians, known for their innovative approaches, often opted for more practical tools when performing early surgeries, even those as complex as trepanation, the precursor to brain surgery.
It’s fascinating to reflect on how far we’ve come, isn’t it? What now feels like a distant and almost surreal chapter of medical history reminds us of the ingenuity—and resilience—of those living in ancient times.
3. Ancient Ophthalmology
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The Greco-Roman physician Galen, a figure of both Greek heritage and Roman birth, stands as a pioneer in the early evolution of surgical techniques. His work laid the foundations for practices that would echo through the centuries—one of the first to consider cleanliness in surgery, particularly in delicate procedures like eye operations. Imagine the innovation of striving for a sterile environment in an era when such an idea was almost unheard of.
However, the methods of the time remind us how far we’ve come. For instance, Galen’s approach to cataract surgery involved inserting a needle directly into the eye in an attempt to extract the clouded lens—a procedure that, while groundbreaking, feels harrowing by today’s standards. It’s hard not to marvel at the courage of those early patients and practitioners alike, navigating uncharted territory in the pursuit of sight.
2. Bloodletting
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There’s nothing amusing about the ancient idea of the “humors,” though the concept now feels like a relic of a distant, mysterious past. Once upon a time, people believed that health depended on the balance of four bodily fluids: blood, black bile, yellow bile, and phlegm. These so-called humors weren’t just imagined—they were thought to hold the secret to life itself.
It might sound quaint now, but back then, this belief was deadly serious. Doctors of the medieval and ancient world had an alarming way of “restoring balance” when things went awry: bloodletting. Picture a somber physician wielding a blade or perhaps a jar of wriggling leeches, ready to remove a portion of blood from their patient. The sight must have been quite the spectacle, though for the patient, far from a relief.
Today, we know better. Science has shown us that draining blood from a sick person is one of the worst treatments imaginable. And yet, the image of those long-ago remedies reminds us just how far we’ve come in our understanding of the human body—a journey shaped by centuries of trial, error, and the occasional leech.
1. Ancient Brain Surgery
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In the heart of Boston’s Public Gardens stands a statue, quietly marking a groundbreaking moment in medical history—the first use of anesthesia during surgery, a practice that began in the 1840s. It’s a tribute to human ingenuity, a reminder of how far we’ve come. But imagine, long before this innovation, brain surgeries were being performed over 4,000 years ago, stretching from the ancient lands of Turkey to the distant Andes of Peru. No anesthesia, no modern tools—just pure resourcefulness and resilience. Ouch, indeed. But also, incredible.
The most remarkable of these ancient procedures was trepanation, where a hole was carefully drilled into the skull to relieve brain swelling caused by trauma. It sounds harrowing, but here’s the astounding part—evidence from countless skeletal remains shows many patients not only survived but lived for years afterward. Picture it: a surgeon in an ancient village, working with rudimentary tools yet achieving outcomes that defy the odds.
Today, we stand on the shoulders of these early pioneers, equipped with knowledge and science to improve our lives in ways they could only dream of. Ready to explore habits that can make your days healthier and happier? Let’s take a step forward together.
