The history of health and medicine is such a crazy ride that it's truly a shock to consider just how good the quality of healthcare is today as opposed to even as recent in human history as a century ago. But in order to get to this point we have had a long and varied history of absolutely crazy medical procedures that you wonder how anyone was even left alive to improve on some of these things.
From sucking boils and blisters off your arms, hands, and your bare bottom to cursing the Amazon delivery driver for all eternity for delivering someone else's urine sample, and even drinking that golden liquid for its health benefits after you eat some cabbage, join Hayley this week as she delves into these absolutely bonkers practices that helped pave the way for our modern understanding of medicine. And just a little word of warning, you might need to have a bucket on standby when you hear some of these!
This episode was presented by Hayley O'Connor and joined by Arron Keegan and Conor Daly. The intro and outro music - Strollin' Along - was recorded by David Renda. Make sure to follow us on our social media pages! Just search for "That's Old News" on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter/X!
(00:00) Intro
(01:30) Ancient Egyptian Procedures
(04:12) Ancient Greek Procedures
(08:04) Hippocrates' Obsession With Hemorrhoids
(12:36) Ancient Greek Honourable Mentions
(14:16) Ancient Roman Procedures
(26:35) The Black Death and Medieval Practices
(37:27) John of Gaddesden, Mental Health, and the Rose of Medicine
(41:59) Bald's Leechbook and Elf Disease
(45:31) Medieval Surgeon's Practices
(55:30) Urine, the "Liquid Window"
(58:41) Avicenna and the Epicentre of Lovesickness
(01:01:30) Post-Show Banter
