Five bloodcurdling medical procedures that are no longer performed … thankfully

[rangerrebew]

Five bloodcurdling medical procedures that are no longer performed … thankfully



But while this key-hole surgery may slowly be scrapped in some cases due to its ineffectiveness, a number of historic “cures” fell out of favour because they were more akin to a method of torture. Here are five of the most extraordinary and unpleasant.

1. Trepanation

Trepanation (drilling or scraping a hole in the skull) is the oldest form of surgery we know of. Humans have been performing it since neolithic times. We don’t know why people did it, but some experts believe it could have been to release demons from the skull. Surprisingly, some people lived for many years after this brutal procedure was performed on them, as revealed by ancient skulls that show evidence of healing.

http://www.heritagedaily.com/2017/05/five-bloodcurdling-medical-procedures-that-are-no-longer-performed-thankfully/115008

[Smokin Joe]

Trepanation was an odd one to lead off with, considering the procedure (rather changed, and guided by CAT scan data is still performed to relieve pressure in trauma patients and to allow removal of blood clots. The tools are faster, fancier, but the idea is the same. Still, an interesting list.