Medical instruments of the past — instruments of torture or lifeline

Modern medicine is amazing. More procedures painlessly and quickly. Going to the dentist is no longer invokes such horror, as, for example, three decades ago. Today, doctors can defeat cancer. American scientists have long announced the second case of complete cure of AIDS ...

The medicine walks forward with sure steps. Of course, much remains to be improved, but no one will argue that today's progress in medicine made a huge leap forward. Let's see how different medical treatments over the last few centuries, and the horrible devices used by the doctors of the past.

1. The device "Iron lungs".

Before the invention of the polio vaccine, patients were placed in an iron lung, which simulated breathing.

2. Once inside this thing that looks like a medieval torture device, the patient could not move for hours. He saw only his reflection in the mirror upstairs and could speak only when the machine is "exhaled".

3. Sunbathing kids.

Winter rickets is a disease caused by vitamin D deficiency, which leads to weakening of the bone. Today the patient is usually discharged the complexes with vitamin D. In the past this used fake tan applied even to babies.

4. Plague doctor.

In the past these terrifying plague doctors were often called to treat the bubonic plague. To protect themselves, they wore creepy masks with long beaks which were filled with herbs, believing that the plague is spreading through the "poisoned air". Their "procedures" consisted of spanking (because the plague was considered a punishment of God for sins) and phlebotomy.

5. Tool for forcible stretching of the channel.

Looking at this device it is impossible not to wince. If the male urethra too was too narrow for a normal stream of urine, the doctor inserted that bit into the tip of a man's penis. Then turned the nut to separate the wedges and to widen the urethra. If the penis was bleeding, it was considered a good sign.

6. Guillotine for tonsillectomy.

Not yet invented antibiotics, strep throat and other similar diseases were a serious threat to life. That patients do not bite off the doctor's finger in his mouth has put this terrible the guillotine for removal of the tonsils.

7. Artificial leech.

Nothing will help the patient, as bloodletting. Thought so before. When the doctor was not at hand these leeches, he used artificial. Rotating blades cut through the wound on the patient's skin, and the cylinder provided the vacuum for the sucking of blood.

8. Hemorrhoidal forceps.

If in the past the patient had hemorrhoids, with this diagnosis, he could simply accept. Of course, if the case was complicated and the patient could no longer endure, then he came to the aid of here is such a "cute" tool. With its help, the doctor seized and crushed the hemorrhoidal lump. A lump inside the rectum pulled the hook.

9. The first plastic surgery.

Hard to believe, but the first plastic surgeons appeared in ancient times. Although until the 20th century that plastic surgery was pretty primitive. Doctors have created here such a creepy mask to hide the injuries on the person of patients.

10. First wheelchair.

Spinal Dr. Clark apparatus was advertised in 1878 as allowing people with spinal problems to walk a few minutes – or even hours – a day. In reality the wooden frame on this terrifying device was so heavy that even healthy people were not able to do a couple of steps, not to mention the patients with spinal problems.

11. The Cradle Of Utica.

This "cradle" was used mainly in a mental hospital – she did not give the patients the opportunity to walk, sit or move. To the twentieth century, these cruel cages disappeared from use and replaced straitjackets and a room with soft walls.

12. Dental pliers with a screw.

If you think modern dentistry is not humane, look where we went. Shurupchik on this ominous device drilled tooth that the doctor firmly held the same ticks. So to pull a tooth out was much easier. For the doctor, of course. And Yes, the subject of torture dentists used BEFORE the invention of painkillers.

13. Ring for spermatorrhea.

In Victorian times Masturbation was considered very harmful to health. For men, it has not worked, doctors invented a spermatorrhea ring. It's simple: the man was wearing this wonderful ring on your penis, and every time he was excited, the sharp spikes dug into his manhood, knocking the whole mood.

14. Cough syrup with heroin and cocaine.

Before it was proven that heroin and cocaine is dangerous, addictive drugs, they are widely used for blunting pain. Several years heroin was present in the composition of cough syrup, while Bayer is the same company that gave us aspirin — opened its narcotic nature.

15. The first prostheses.

Prostheses appeared in Ancient Egypt.

16. Until relatively recently, most of them looked like something from the world of steampunk. They were uncomfortable, impractical, and often embarrassed the owner.

17. Bone chisel.

To cure headaches, doctors have used trepanation – drilled hole in the skull of the patient. To do this, and used a bone chisel. Fortunately, now there is paracetamol.