Cringe-Worthy Medical Practices From Days Gone By

Going to the doctor could get you killed.

Cartoon by Lambert-King

We all dread going to the doctor. And we often complain about different aspects of medical care, be it the wait, the red tape, insurance hassles, or any one of a number of other things. But, as Billy Joel said, “the good old days weren’t always good.” And that really applies to medical care. So here are some medical practices that have thankfully gone by the wayside.

1: If your baby has colic, use a soothing syrup.

In the mid1800s through the early 1900s, one colic treatment was ‘Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup.” It probably did give the parents some relief as it contained morphine. If the baby was still crying after taking the “soothing syrup,” mom could take a shot of it herself.

2: Have asthma? Smoke this.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, asthma sufferers were given cigarettes to smoke. What was in those cigarettes? Ingredients included stramonium, belladonna, and tobacco.

So, smoke two packs of these and call me in the morning.

3: Mercury was used for a number of things for hundreds of years.