To us lesser mortals (the peeps who couldn’t clear the AIPMT exams), medical science has always been a mystery. How someone could cram gigabytes of biology terms is seriously beyond us. But that’s still not as creepy or mysterious as some of the things you’re about to see.
The history of medicine is filled with images and contraptions that look like they belong in a horror movie set. You don’t have to use your imagination. We’ve scoured the interwebs for some of the more ghastly ones. You’re welcome.
Check these out.
This washing machine-like instrument, with humans in it, is actually an instrument that early 20th century doctors used to check patients for yellow fever.
The image is from the Walter Reed hospital, which is named after the American physician known for confirming the theory that yellow fever is transmitted through a particular species of mosquito and not through direct contact.
That’s a doctor sculpting a ‘new face’ for a patient.
Most of them were veterans from the First World War.
Just like the character of Richard Harrow from Boardwalk Empire.
Such masks were common before facial reconstructive surgery evolved to what it’s today.
Two orphans undergoing tanning in an hospital.
Rickets was a huge risk back in early 20th century. Tanning, which increased the level of vitamin D, was a go to method.
Need to work on your baby delivery skills? Don’t worry, here’s a dummy mommy.
The Iron Lung. This feared beast certainly saved many children who were suffering from Polio. Still want to be an anti-vaxxer?
Trivia – Radiohead wrote My Iron Lung as a way of coping with the pressure of the sudden success of their first album. An iron lung helps in breathing, you see.
These creepy masks were worn by doctors and some patients during plagues. The beaks had filters and scented substances to cope with the stench of their surroundings.
You would think that this Dr. Clark’s Spinal Apparatus ad would be aimed at not scaring the shit out of prospective buyers in 1878.
There was a time when male doctors were not allowed to touch female patients. And women weren’t allowed to study medicine. These female anatomy figurines were used to instruct nurses how to handle women patients.
But why the case looks like a coffin, I don’t know.
“Yes Suzette, just lie there and look sick for everyone. No pressure at all.”
Mentally ill people were often wrapped in wet sheets to “calm them down”.
Tells you how clueless we were when it came to mental healthcare.
No one knows why this woman is shy. But her prosthetic leg was a revolutionary medical product back in the day.
“Is it a gurney, Timmy? Or did you break your wheelchair?”
“Fuck off, Tod. it’s a wheelbed.” *brain explodes*
In 1961, this is how they detected brain tumours.
In the Marvel universe, this is how Charles created Cerebro.
This is a pressure controlled chamber Churchill used for long flights.
Big boys and their toys, eh?
Measuring the brainwaves in 1940.
Scratching my head in 2016.
The Portable Cabinet Respirator.
A wire suit designed to measure body temperatures while researching the physiological effects of high speed and space travel.
The ’60s were a weird time.
A Birthing Chair from the 19th century.
Self explanatory.
Children around a radiating glow of ultraviolet light at the Institute of Ray Therapy.
Ring a ring of roses will never be the same anymore.