As a special halloween treat, or perhaps trick, I thought we would look at a macabre medley of medical ministrations! Some of the gory ancient medical treatments in the search for good health!
First up, mind your brain…
There is centuries of evidence of our ancestors boring into skulls (trepanation).
Many theories abound as to why this was done. While some consider a ritualistic cause the general belief is medical intervention.
Seems likely this was for pain relief perhaps following trauma. A release of pressure from headaches and other neurological conditions such as epileptic convulsions.
Creepy crawly blood suckers …
Any Outlander fans, of books or TV series, may remember Jamie Fraser bloodied and battered, after taking punishment for Laoghaire at Castle Leoch. Mrs Fitz brought leeches for reducing swelling. She pointed out to Claire they were of no use after the bruising has set.
Although the above is a fictional account, leeches were used. Most commonly utilised in cleaning wounds to avoid infection.
Oil of what for sciatica ??
I learnt of one ancient treatment, which I found particularly horrific, at the apothecary of St Lizier.
This treatment, utilised to treat sciatica, contained dog oil and 500 g of worms marinated in hot oil.
The dog oil recipe contained four small puppies! In the image of the old oil jars you can just see to the left the word ‘chien’. The jar reads ‘H. de chien’ translating as oil of dog. Poor puppies. I cannot imagine this treatment of worms and puppies provided any benefit to the sciatica patient. Certainly no life for the poor puppies or indeed, the worms!
Thankfully the above treatments have fallen out of favour.
