In the evolution of medical science, numerous bizarre and alarming treatments have surfaced over the centuries. While many of these practices may seem incomprehensible today, they were once considered standard procedures. Here are ten of the most unsettling medical treatments that have been performed throughout history.

1. Intentional Lung Collapse as a Tuberculosis Cure

The method known as plombage, or extrapleural pneumonolysis, was a treatment used for cavitary tuberculosis in the upper lungs. Popular from the 1930s to the 1950s, this technique involved creating a cavity beneath the ribs and filling it with inert substances such as acrylic balls or rubber sheets, causing the upper lung to collapse. It was believed that a collapsed lung would heal more efficiently, though this often resulted in severe complications like infections, particularly in older patients.

2. Strangulation for Tumor and Hemorrhoid Removal

The ecraseur was a painful 19th-century instrument designed to excise uterine and ovarian tumors, as well as hemorrhoids, by strangling the growth. A wire loop was tightened around the base of the tumor until it either severed or cut off blood supply, leading to the growth's eventual detachment. Although painful, patients preferred this method to traditional cutting.

3. Gasoline for Severe Head Lice Infestations

In the early 1700s, dousing infested hair with gasoline became a popular yet hazardous remedy for head lice. Despite its flammability and potential for severe burns, many resorted to this method, which could cause painful scalp irritation even without igniting.

4. Mercury as a Syphilis Treatment

In Protestant Europe, mercury was widely used as a treatment for syphilis, beginning in the late 1400s. Patients often suffered from mercury poisoning, with many experiencing excruciating deaths. The treatment involved vigorous application of mercury ointment in a hot, confined space, aimed at inducing sweat.

5. Tobacco Smoke Enemas for Resuscitation

Tobacco smoke enemas were introduced in the 17th century, inspired by Indigenous American practices. This method involved blowing tobacco smoke into the rectum of drowning victims, believed to revive them. Unfortunately, it often resulted in fatal infections for practitioners who mishandled the procedure.

6. Extreme Measures for Teething Relief

In the 19th century, teething was thought to cause severe health issues in children. Doctors often resorted to lancing the gums, which led to infections and fatalities. Parents turned to morphine-laced syrups to ease pain, which, while effective, frequently resulted in serious side effects.

7. Vibrators for Treating Female Hysteria

From the 1800s to the early 1900s, vibrators were used to treat what was labeled as female hysteria. This medical procedure was conducted in clinical settings, with practitioners using vibrating devices for pelvic massage, though historical accounts of its purpose and application have been debated.

8. Lobotomies for Mental Health Issues

Lobotomies became a controversial treatment for mental disorders in the 20th century. The procedure involved drilling into the skull to access the brain and was initially met with optimistic claims of success. However, as awareness of its risks grew, this inhumane practice was ultimately banned.

9. Monkey Organ Transplantation for Erectile Dysfunction

In 1918, a Russian doctor proposed transplanting monkey testicles into men to treat erectile dysfunction. This xenotransplantation led to a series of experimental surgeries, but the lack of success and rising mortality rates caused public disapproval.

10. The Misguided Belief in Radium Water's Healing Properties

In the early 20th century, radium was promoted as a miraculous health tonic. This dangerous trend persisted until multiple deaths from radium exposure prompted a reevaluation of its supposed benefits, leading to its infamous rebranding as “bottled death.”