Throughout history, medical practices have evolved dramatically, with advancements in science leading to significant improvements in healthcare. However, there are instances where medical practices from the past, once considered groundbreaking, are now viewed with shock and disbelief. Here are nine such practices that were once common but are now considered unthinkable in modern medicine.

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Bloodletting

Once a common medical practice, bloodletting involved deliberately draining blood from patients to restore balance to the body’s humors. Practiced for centuries, it was believed to treat a wide range of conditions, from fevers to headaches. However, modern medicine has debunked its efficacy, recognizing it as a harmful and ineffective treatment. Bloodletting can lead to severe complications such as anemia, shock, and infections.

Trepanation

Trepanation, the ancient practice of drilling or cutting holes into the skull, was believed to relieve pressure, treat mental disorders, and expel evil spirits. Despite its widespread historical use, trepanation carried significant risks, including infection and brain damage. While it may have occasionally offered temporary relief, the overall risks outweigh the potential benefits. Today, trepanation is reserved for specific medical cases, such as relieving intracranial pressure caused by traumatic brain injuries, highlighting the evolution of surgical techniques and medical ethics over time.

Mercury Treatment

Mercury, once hailed as a wonder cure, was administered orally, topically, or through injections to treat various illnesses, including syphilis and tuberculosis. However, the toxic effects of mercury on the human body, including neurological damage and kidney failure, became evident over time. Despite its historical use, modern medicine has abandoned mercury as a treatment, emphasizing safer and more effective alternatives.

Lobotomy

Lobotomy, a surgical procedure involving the severing of connections in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, was once considered a breakthrough treatment for mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression. While some patients experienced temporary symptom relief, many suffered permanent cognitive impairment and personality changes. Lobotomy’s legacy is one of controversy and ethical scrutiny, leading to its eventual abandonment in favor of more targeted and less invasive treatments.

Radithor

Radithor, a radioactive tonic marketed in the early 20th century, promised miraculous health benefits but contained highly radioactive radium. Despite its popularity, prolonged consumption led to severe radiation poisoning and death in some cases. The tragic consequences of Radithor underscore the importance of rigorous regulation and scientific oversight in the development and marketing of medical treatments.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Without Anesthesia

Initially administered without anesthesia or muscle relaxants, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) caused significant trauma to patients undergoing treatment. Today, ECT is performed under general anesthesia and with muscle relaxants to minimize discomfort and ensure patient safety. This evolution in practice reflects advances in medical technology and a deeper understanding of patient comfort and well-being.

Forced Sterilization

Forced sterilization, once endorsed as a means of population control and eugenics, targeted marginalized groups without their consent. This unethical practice violated human rights and resulted in lasting physical and psychological harm to countless individuals. Today, forced sterilization is universally condemned and prohibited by law in most countries.

Thalidomide

Thalidomide, a medication prescribed for morning sickness in the late 1950s and early 1960s, tragically caused severe congenital disabilities, including limb deformities, in newborns. Its devastating impact led to stricter drug testing and approval process regulations, emphasizing safety and efficacy. The thalidomide tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of inadequate testing and the importance of robust regulatory oversight in pharmaceutical development.

Conversion Therapy

Conversion therapy, seeking to alter an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, has been widely discredited as harmful and ineffective by medical and mental health organizations. Despite this, it continues to be practiced in some parts of the world, perpetuating stigma and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.