Unbelievable Vintage Medical Photos That Will Haunt Even the Bravest Med Students
Today, the term “snake oil” is used to describe something fake or disingenuous, but in the 19th century, it referred to actual oil from water snakes utilized in Chinese traditional medicine. The oil was seen as a cure-all with excellent anti-inflammatory properties. In the US, from the early 1900s, many brands began marketing placebos and bad substances as snake oil, which is how the oil became a symbol of all things bogus.
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Mercury Injections
From as early as the 16th century, mercury was used as a treatment for syphilis despite it being extremely toxic to the human body. Many patients experienced severe side effects such as nerve damage, organ failure, and even death after undergoing mercury treatment. The injections remained popular up until the early 20th century when penicillin, a far more effective treatment, was finally discovered.
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Schnee Baths
Schnee baths were a type of electrified bath for treating rheumatism and joint pain. Popular in hospitals and spas from the late 1800s into the 1930s, patients would sit with each limb submerged in its own galvanised basin. A mild current was passed through the water, making these baths painless and free of shock or discomfort. However, by the early 20th century, Schnee baths were dismissed as quackery and abandoned by the medical community.
