Mad Medicine: Bloodletting, Blubber, and Birth Control

Ever heard of the rheumatism hotel? Wondered how George Washington really died? Considered adorning your bosom with weasel testicles?

We certainly hadn’t.

As it turns out, medicine was once more of an art than a science. After this episode, you'll be eternally grateful that someone figured out that science part.

Please don’t send this episode to RFK, Jr.

Sources:

Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780761189817

https://www.aamc.org/news/grave-errors-spooky-cures-and-creepy-medical-missteps-past

https://time.com/4982099/quackery-medicine-history

https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2022/04/10-strange-medical-practices-from-history

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodletting

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barber_surgeon

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/prescription-rheumatism-used-be-sit-inside-rotting-whale-30-hours-180950335

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-26807485

https://www.fibonaccimd.com/post/the-history-of-the-whale-cure-for-rheumatism

https://magicsilverbullet.substack.com/p/the-whale-hotel-for-rheumatism

https://www.bbc.com/bbcthree/article/e671cb02-4e5e-4f52-a835-25a5dd2a5963

https://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/ss/slideshow-birth-control-history

https://www.livescience.com/11376-history-future-birth-control/2.html

https://www.history.com/articles/7-unusual-ancient-medical-techniques